Polyethylene Glycol Solvent for Diazotization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The use of high concentrations and large amounts of corrosive sulfuric acid in diazotization reactions for azo disperse dye synthesis leads to resource wastage, increased costs, and environmental pollution, while also requiring complex equipment and safety measures.

Innovation Solution

A solvent medium comprising a mixed solution of polyethylene glycol and water with a molecular weight of 200-600 and a volume ratio of 1:0.4-1.5, optionally including hydrochloric or sulfuric acid to achieve a specific H+ concentration, which acts as a phase transfer catalyst to accelerate the diazotization reaction, prevent the formation of diazoamino compounds, and maintain diazonium salt stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high concentration and large amount of sulfuric acid is used as reaction medium, then the diazotization reaction can be carried out effectively and diazonium salt stability is maintained, but resource waste increases, production costs increase, and environmental pollution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediazonium salt stabilityVSAvoidacid waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of the acid from high concentration (98% sulfuric acid) to low concentration (10-30% sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid), and changes the volume parameter from large amount to small amount (1-3 times molar equivalent). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving the same diazotization effect with minimal acid usage, thus reducing resource waste and environmental pollution while maintaining diazonium salt stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive and hazardous concentrated sulfuric acid with cheaper and safer dilute acid solutions (10-30% sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid). This substitution allows the use of less expensive, easier-to-handle acid solutions that can be disposed of more easily, reducing both economic cost and environmental burden while achieving the same chemical function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If high concentration and large amount of sulfuric acid is used as reaction medium, then the diazotization reaction can be carried out effectively, but production equipment requirements increase, process operation complexity increases, and safety requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediazotization reaction effectivenessVSAvoidproduction equipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the acid concentration parameter from high (98%) to low (10-30%), which fundamentally alters the safety and operational characteristics of the process. Dilute acids do not require specialized corrosion-resistant equipment, do not demand stringent safety protocols, and can be handled with standard laboratory or industrial equipment, thus resolving the contradiction between reaction effectiveness and equipment complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces hazardous concentrated sulfuric acid with safer dilute acid solutions that can be handled with ordinary equipment. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized acid-resistant reactors, piping, and storage facilities, thereby reducing device complexity and capital investment while maintaining effective diazotization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If high concentration and large amount of sulfuric acid is used as reaction medium, then the diazotization reaction can be carried out effectively, but environmental pollution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediazotization reaction effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the acid concentration parameter from high (98%) to low (10-30%), which dramatically reduces the environmental impact. The small amount of dilute acid used (1-3 times molar equivalent) generates minimal wastewater with low acidity, eliminating the need for complex neutralization and treatment processes, thus resolving the contradiction between reaction effectiveness and environmental protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces persistent and hazardous concentrated sulfuric acid waste with easily treatable dilute acid solutions. The minimal amount of dilute acid used can be neutralized with simple bases or even neutralized by the coupling reaction itself, converting a potential environmental hazard into a benign or beneficial byproduct, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective synthesis and environmental protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If high concentration and large amount of sulfuric acid is used as reaction medium, then the diazotization reaction can be carried out effectively, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediazotization reaction effectivenessVSAvoidacid consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes two parameters simultaneously: concentration (from 98% to 10-30%) and quantity (from large excess to 1-3 times molar equivalent). This dual parameter change reduces acid consumption by a factor of 10-30 times compared to conventional methods, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining effective diazotization and reducing material consumption costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive concentrated sulfuric acid with cheaper dilute acid solutions used in minimal quantities. This substitution dramatically reduces both the purchase cost of acid and the cost of waste disposal, directly resolving the contradiction between effective synthesis and material cost reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces reaction time, improves yield and quality of diazonium salts, simplifies the production process, lowers costs, and minimizes environmental pollution by reducing acid usage and waste generation.

Implementation Method 1

The solvent medium has significant phase transfer catalysis, and can effectively reduce the diazotization reaction time to accelerate the process of the diazotization reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transfer catalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS9926263B2Solvent medium for diazotization reaction
Publication Date: 2018.03.27 NANTONG TEXTILE & SILK IND TECH RES INST

AI summary

A solvent medium for diazotization reaction includes a mixed solution of polyethylene glycol and water. The molecular weight of polyethylene glycol is 200-600, and the volume ratio of polyethylene glycol and water is 1:0.4-1.5. The mixed solution also includes hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, and the concentration of H+ in the mixed solution is 0.32-1.72 mol L−1.