Supported Catalyst for Polyether Amine Synthesis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catalysts for synthesizing polyether amines face challenges such as complicated preparation processes, fragility, high metal content, poor economy, and limited suitability for low molecular weight polyether polyols, resulting in low activity and selectivity.

Innovation Solution

A supported catalyst comprising Ni, Cu, Pd, and Rh with specific weight percentages, optionally including auxiliary agents like Zr, Cr, Mo, Fe, and Ti, supported on porous oxides like γ-Al2O3, designed for amination reactions of polyether polyols with molecular weights ranging from 90 to 7,000, enhancing catalytic activity and selectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional coprecipitation method catalysts are used, then catalytic activity can be achieved, but the preparation process becomes complicated and the catalyst becomes fragile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst strengthVSAvoidpreparation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces porous oxide supports (alumina, silica, titania, zirconia) as intermediaries to carry the metal active components. This support structure provides mechanical strength and stability while simplifying the preparation process through impregnation methods, resolving the contradiction between catalyst strength and preparation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite catalyst structures by combining metal active components (Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Zn) with porous oxide supports. This composite approach enhances catalyst strength and stability while maintaining catalytic activity, addressing the fragility issue of traditional coprecipitation catalysts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high metal content catalysts are used, then catalytic activity improves, but economic viability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoideconomic viability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes porous oxide supports with high surface area to volume ratio, which allows dispersion of metal active components at lower concentrations. The porous structure provides numerous active sites per unit mass of metal, maintaining high catalytic activity while reducing metal content and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the metal content parameters within specific ranges (Ni: 1-15%, Co: 1-15%, Cu: 1-15%, Fe: 1-10%, Zn: 1-10%) rather than using high metal content. This parameter optimization achieves satisfactory catalytic activity at economically viable metal concentrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If existing catalysts are used for low molecular weight polyether polyols, then reaction can proceed, but activity and selectivity are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidproduct selectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent tailors the catalyst composition and properties to match the specific requirements of low molecular weight polyether polyol amination. By optimizing metal types, ratios, and support characteristics, the catalyst achieves high activity and selectivity specifically for this application range, rather than using a general-purpose catalyst.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts critical parameters including metal composition ratios, metal content percentages, and support pore characteristics to optimize performance for low molecular weight substrates. These parameter changes enable the catalyst to effectively handle the specific challenges of aminating polyether polyols with molecular weights below 500.

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

The catalyst exhibits high activity and selectivity for polyether amine synthesis, reducing by-products and improving product yield, particularly for low molecular weight polyether polyols, with improved sintering resistance and economic viability.

Implementation Method 1

The catalyst can be prepared by a known method such as an adsorption method, a coprecipitation method, a deposition method, or a mechanical mixing method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

The key to this production process is the choice and preparation of the catalyst. Catalysts suitable for reductive amination contain metals such as Ni, Co and Cu as active components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS11045794B2Supported catalyst used for synthesizing polyether amine, and manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2021.06.29 WANHUA CHEM GRP CO LTD

AI summary

A supported catalyst used for synthesizing a polyether amine, and a manufacturing method of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises: a porous oxide as a support; Ni, Cu, Pd, and Rh as active components; and one or more of any of Zr, Cr, Mo, Fe, Zn, Sn, Bi, Ce, La, Hf, Sr, Sb, Mg, Be, Re, Ta, Ti, Sc, Ge and related metals as an auxiliary agent. The catalyst can be used in an amination reaction for a large molecular weight polyether polyol, and is particularly active and selective for an amination reaction of a low molecular weight polyether polyol. The catalyst has a simple and economic manufacturing technique and good potential for future applications.