Phosgene Production Using Polychlorine Anion Ionic Liquids

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of phosgene from chlorine gas and carbon monoxide is hindered by the handling complexities of toxic and corrosive chlorine gas, the need for intensive heat removal systems, and the requirement for activated carbon catalysts, making it costly and impractical for laboratory-scale production.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a reaction chamber with a polychlorine anion-containing compound, such as an ionic liquid, where carbon monoxide is converted to form a phosgene-containing product with reduced chlorine content, eliminating the need for activated carbon catalysts and minimizing heat removal requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If chlorine gas is used for phosgene production, then phosgene can be produced, but handling complexity and safety risks increase due to toxic and corrosive properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephosgene productionVSAvoidhandling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a polychlorine anion-containing compound as an intermediary substance that reacts with carbon monoxide to produce phosgene. This intermediary approach replaces the need to handle and store toxic chlorine gas, as the polychlorine anion compound can be stored more safely and reacts in situ to generate phosgene only when needed, thereby reducing handling complexity and safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical state and form of the chlorine-containing reactant from gaseous chlorine (Cl2) to a polychlorine anion-containing compound. This parameter change in the chemical form allows for safer storage and handling while maintaining the ability to produce phosgene through reaction with carbon monoxide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If chlorine gas and carbon monoxide are reacted to produce phosgene, then phosgene is formed, but intensive heat removal systems are required due to highly exothermic reaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephosgene productionVSAvoidheat removal requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the reaction parameters by using a polychlorine anion-containing compound instead of gaseous chlorine. This substitution results in a less exothermic reaction that proceeds more slowly, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for intensive heat removal systems while still producing phosgene effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If activated carbon catalyst is used for phosgene synthesis, then phosgene production is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase due to specially manufactured tubular reactors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephosgene productionVSAvoidreactor complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for activated carbon catalysts from the phosgene production process. By using a polychlorine anion-containing compound that reacts directly with carbon monoxide without requiring a catalyst, the process simplifies the reactor design and eliminates the need for specially manufactured tubular reactors with activated carbon, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Quantity of substance

If conventional phosgene synthesis is used for laboratory scale production, then phosgene can be produced, but cost and complexity make it impractical for small amounts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaboratory scale phosgene productionVSAvoidpracticality for laboratory scale
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a polychlorine anion-containing compound as an intermediary that enables phosgene production without requiring large-scale industrial infrastructure. This intermediary approach allows for simple, cost-effective laboratory-scale synthesis by eliminating the need for complex heat removal systems, specialized catalysts, and high-pressure chlorine gas handling equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the reaction conditions and reagent forms to make phosgene production suitable for laboratory scale. By using polychlorine anion-containing compounds instead of gaseous chlorine and adjusting reaction parameters, the process becomes more manageable, safer, and more cost-effective for small-scale production requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 process simplifies phosgene production by reducing chlorine gas handling risks, lowering energy consumption, and enabling efficient laboratory-scale production with lower chlorine content in the phosgene product, making it more practical and safer.

Implementation Method 1

bringing carbon monoxide into contact with said component in the reaction chamber and converting the carbon monoxide therein to form a phosgene-containing product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20240034633A1Process for producing phosgene by reaction of polychlorine anions and carbon monoxide
Publication Date: 2024.02.01 COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG

AI summary

A process comprising at least the steps a) providing a reaction space containing a component including at least one polychlorine anion-containing compound, preferably at least one polychlorine anion-containing compound in the form of an ionic liquid, b) contacting carbon monoxide with said component in the reaction space and there reacting the carbon monoxide to form phosgene-containing product, c) optionally collecting the phosgene from the phosgene-containing product of step b), d) optionally reacting the phosgene from the phosgene-containing product of step b) or the collected phosgene from step c) with a phosgene-reactive component, makes it possible to prepare, in step b), a phosgene-containing product which contains less than 5.0% by weight of Cl2 base on its total weight.