Polymer-Supported Iridium Catalyst for Low-Elution Formic Acid Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing homogeneous catalysts for formic acid decomposition and synthesis suffer from significant elution, leading to reduced catalytic activity, making continuous flow reactions inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A dehydrogenation/carbon dioxide hydrogenation catalyst is developed with an iridium complex having a ligand bound to a polymer support, utilizing amino or hydroxyl groups as ligands, which functions as a heterogeneous catalyst, maintaining high activity in both flow and batch reactions while facilitating catalyst recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If homogeneous catalyst containing metal complex is used for formic acid decomposition or synthesis, then catalytic activity per catalyst is improved, but catalyst elution occurs significantly reducing activity after several uses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activity per catalystVSAvoidcatalyst stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines homogeneous catalyst (metal complex with amino or hydroxyl ligand) and heterogeneous catalyst (solid support) by immobilizing the metal complex onto the solid support through the ligand, creating an immobilized catalyst that maintains high catalytic activity while preventing elution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The amino group or hydroxyl group acts as an intermediary between the metal complex and the solid support, forming a stable bond that anchors the catalyst while maintaining its catalytic function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If homogeneous catalyst is used in continuous flow reaction, then productivity is improved, but catalyst recovery becomes difficult due to elution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous reaction efficiencyVSAvoidcatalyst recovery
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst characteristics into an immobilized catalyst, the system enables continuous flow reactions with easy catalyst recovery through simple filtration or separation, as the catalyst remains固定在 the solid support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catalyst is localized on the solid support surface, allowing it to remain in the reactor during continuous flow operations while enabling simple separation by physical filtration, thus facilitating both continuous operation and easy recovery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The catalyst achieves stable and efficient decomposition and synthesis of formic acid in a continuous flow manner with minimal elution, extending catalyst life and maintaining high activity over time.

Implementation Method 1

Formic acid can be catalytically and selectively decomposed to give carbon dioxide and hydrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

conversely, formic acid can be catalytically synthesized from hydrogen and carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP4582182A1Dehydrogenation/carbon dioxide hydrogenation catalyst, and hydrogen gas production method and carbon dioxide hydrogenation method each using same
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
  • EP4582182A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4582182A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4582182A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a dehydrogenation/carbon dioxide hydrogenation catalyst characterized by comprising an iridium complex represented by formula (3) and having a ligand bound to a polymer support. (In formula (3), pc represents a portion of the polymer support; m and n each independently represent a positive integer or 0; X and Y each independently represent a positive integer of 1 to 6; R1's each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2's each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; P represents a molecule or an ion of any one of H2O, chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br) and acetonitrile (CH3CN); and C represents any one of a hydroxide ion (OH-), a sulfate ion (SO42-), a chlorine ion (Cl-), a bromine ion (Br-), a nitrate ion (NO3-) and a trifluoromethanesulfonate ion (CF3SO3-).)