Sucralose Preparation via Sodium Hypochlorite Decolorization and Hydrolysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing sucralose result in a highly colored product due to the chlorination process, requiring multiple decolorization steps with activated charcoal, and suffer from incomplete conversion and slow hydrolysis, necessitating an efficient and rapid method for decolorization and hydrolysis.

Innovation Solution

Treating TGS-6-acetate with a sodium hypochlorite solution simultaneously decolorizes and hydrolyzes the ester group, producing colorless sucralose in a single step.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple decolorization steps with activated charcoal are used, then the color of the product is reduced, but the processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor of productVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the decolorization step with the hydrolysis step into a single simultaneous operation. Sodium hypochlorite serves dual functions: it decolorizes the brown TGS-6-acetate and simultaneously hydrolyzes the ester group to form sucralose, eliminating the need for separate decolorization steps with activated charcoal and reducing overall processing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of sodium hypochlorite (which could cause oxidation and degradation) into a beneficial process by controlling the conditions to achieve simultaneous decolorization and hydrolysis. The hypochlorite solution, under controlled pH and temperature conditions, selectively performs both functions without causing harmful side reactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If traditional hydrolysis methods are used, then the ester group is hydrolyzed, but the conversion remains incomplete and the process is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrolysis rateVSAvoidconversion completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the hydrolysis process by using sodium hypochlorite as a reagent system with controlled pH (maintained alkaline) and temperature conditions. These parameter changes enable both rapid hydrolysis and complete conversion, overcoming the limitations of traditional hydrolysis methods that resulted in slow and incomplete reactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Sodium hypochlorite acts as an intermediary reagent that facilitates both decolorization and hydrolysis. The hypochlorite ion mediates the reaction by providing both the oxidative capability for decolorization and the hydrolytic capability for ester cleavage, achieving complete conversion under controlled conditions

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 process achieves rapid and complete decolorization and hydrolysis, resulting in high-purity colorless sucralose with improved yields and reduced processing time, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

treating the TGS-6-acetate so obtained with sodium hypochlorite to obtain colorless sucralose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

the treatment with sodium hypochlorite also resulted in the hydrolysis of the ester group giving sucralose directly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS8884004B2Process for the preparation of sucralose
Publication Date: 2014.11.11 DIVI S LAB LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for preparing colorless sucralose, wherein 4,1′,6′-trichloro-4,1′,6′-trideoxy-galactosucrose-6-acetate containing colored impurities formed during chlorination of sucrose-6-acetate is treated with sodium hypochlorite, where sodium hypochlorite acts both as a decolorizing agent and as a reagent for the ester hydrolysis.