Polymeric Catalyst Particle Size Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polymeric catalysts with larger particle sizes exhibit low ketone yield at reaction temperatures, and smaller particles do not necessarily result in high yield or are limited to specific catalysts, leading to increased formation of undesirable products.

Innovation Solution

A polymeric catalyst with a uniform distribution of small particles, specifically a monosulfonated ion exchange resin, monosulfonated gel, or macroreticular resin, impregnated with metals like palladium, platinum, or silver, achieving enhanced yield and reduced undesirable product formation at lower temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional polymeric catalysts with larger particle sizes are used, then the catalyst structure is more stable, but the ketone yield at reaction temperatures is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveketone yieldVSAvoidreaction temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst is divided into small particles with a uniform distribution of particle sizes less than 560 μm, specifically 0.1 to 15 percent metal based on dry weight. This segmentation increases the surface area to volume ratio, enhancing catalytic activity and ketone yield while maintaining structural stability through the polymeric resin matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by combining polymeric resin (monosulfonated ion exchange resin, monosulfonated gel, or macroreticular resin) with metal impregnation (palladium, platinum, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, copper, gold, and/or silver). This composite structure provides both the structural stability of the polymer and the high catalytic activity of the metal, achieving enhanced yield at lower temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If smaller particles are used to increase surface area, then catalytic activity improves, but undesirable products are formed in increased amounts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidundesirable product formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst exhibits local quality through its uniform distribution of small particles with controlled metal impregnation (0.1 to 15 percent metal based on dry weight). This uniform distribution ensures consistent catalytic activity across all particles, promoting selective ketone formation while minimizing undesirable side products through controlled local metal concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes key parameters including particle size (less than 560 μm), metal content (0.1 to 15 percent based on dry weight), and resin type (monosulfonated ion exchange resin, monosulfonated gel, or macroreticular resin). These parameter changes optimize the balance between catalytic activity and selectivity, enhancing ketone yield while reducing undesirable product formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If metal impregnation is increased to enhance catalytic activity, then reaction rate improves, but the catalyst complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction rateVSAvoidcatalyst complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst uses a simplified metal impregnation approach where metal salts are incorporated into the polymeric resin matrix during or after synthesis. This copying method allows metal distribution throughout the catalyst volume without requiring complex multi-step fabrication processes, maintaining relatively simple catalyst structure while achieving enhanced reaction rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 a yield of 5-60% with selectivity of 90-99% for ketone production, while minimizing the formation of unwanted products, and can be used in various reactions such as aldol condensation and hydrogenation at reduced temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

Catalysts typically have larger particle sizes of 600-1100 μm and ketone yield at reaction temperatures is low. Smaller particles have been disclosed, but do not necessarily result in high yield or are limited to specific catalysts.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

The catalyst of the invention is made of select catalyst materials and has a uniform distribution of small particles that produces an enhanced yield and decreased formation of undesirable products at a low temperature.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

a polymeric catalyst comprising at least one of a monosulfonated ion exchange resin, monosulfonated gel, and macroreticular resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 4

The macroreticular resin comprises a surface area of 1-60 m2/g and 5-25% by weight of a crosslinker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS8492594B2Multireaction bifunctional polymeric catalyst
Publication Date: 2013.07.23 DDP SPECIALTY ELECTRONICS MATERIALS US 8 LLC

AI summary

A polymeric catalyst, and methods of using the catalyst, comprising at least one of a monosulfonated ion exchange resin, monosulfonated gel, and macroreticular resin having a particle size of less than 560 μm and metal impregnated within the resin, where the metal is palladium, platinum, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, copper, gold, and/or silver.