Sorbitol Production via Homogeneous Ru Catalyst Hydrogenation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current processes for producing D-sorbitol from sucrose result in low yields and high production costs due to the presence of gluconolactone by-products and inefficient hydrogenation methods using heterogeneous catalysts.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the conversion of sucrose into a mixture of gluconolactone and sorbitol using chemical or enzymatic conversion, followed by hydrogenation in the presence of a transition metal-based complex, specifically using Ru or Ir catalysts with organic ligands containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and/or carbene-type donors, to achieve high yields of sorbitol with minimal gluconolactone residue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If heterogeneous catalysts are used for hydrogenation of sucrose, then the process is simple to operate, but the yield of sorbitol is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidyield of sorbitol

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the catalyst from heterogeneous to homogeneous transition metal-based complexes, and modifies reaction parameters including using specific ligands (nitrogen, phosphorus, and/or carbene-type donors), controlling temperature (20-150°C), pressure (1-100 bar H2), and solvent conditions to achieve high sorbitol yields (87-98%) while maintaining operational feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite catalyst systems consisting of transition metals (Ru or Ir) combined with specific organic ligands containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and/or carbene-type donors. These composite catalyst complexes enable superior catalytic activity and selectivity compared to simple heterogeneous catalysts, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If biotransformation process using GFOR enzyme is used, then sorbitol can be produced, but production costs are high and purity is low due to gluconolactone by-product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidpurity of sorbitol

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical transformation pathway by using transition metal-catalyzed hydrogenation instead of enzymatic biotransformation. This parameter change eliminates the formation of gluconolactone by-product entirely, achieving sorbitol purity >90% directly from the reaction mixture without requiring additional purification steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the biological enzymatic system (GFOR enzyme) with a chemical catalytic system using transition metal complexes. This substitution eliminates the metabolic pathway that produces gluconolactone as a by-product, thereby improving product purity while maintaining manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If conventional hydrogenation process is used, then the process is straightforward, but the percentage of sorbitol in product is low and gluconolactone residue is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidpercentage of sorbitol in product

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes multiple reaction parameters including: using transition metal complexes (Ru or Ir) with specific ligands, controlling temperature (20-150°C), pressure (1-100 bar H2), solvent selection (alcohols, ethers, esters, or water), and catalyst-to-substrate ratio. These parameter changes achieve sorbitol percentages of 87-98% while maintaining straightforward operational procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces specific organic ligands (containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and/or carbene-type donors) as intermediaries that coordinate with transition metals to form highly active and selective catalyst complexes. These intermediary ligand complexes enable high sorbitol selectivity and minimize gluconolactone formation while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method achieves sorbitol yields of at least 87%, significantly higher than previous processes, with less than 10% gluconolactone remaining after hydrogenation, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective production of sorbitol.

Implementation Method 1

hydrogenation of the mixture of step (a) to a product with a percentage of D-sorbitol in the range of 87%, said hydrogenation being in the presence of a transition metal-based complex

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation