Supported Gold Catalyst for Selective Alcohol Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols to produce olefinically unsaturated carbonyl compounds often require high temperatures, leading to side reactions and decomposition, and involve expensive catalysts or complex separation processes.
Innovation Solution
A process using a supported gold catalyst, optionally with other noble metals, in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at temperatures between 50 to 240°C, with aluminum oxide, aluminosilicate, or hydrotalcite as support materials, allowing for selective conversion of alcohols to aldehydes without the need for separate isomerization steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high temperatures (300-600°C) are used for oxidative dehydrogenation, then reaction rate increases, but side reactions and decomposition occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from conventional high temperatures (300-600°C) to a lower range (50-240°C), which fundamentally alters the reaction conditions to achieve both high productivity and selectivity. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling fast reactions without the harmful side effects of high temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite catalyst systems combining gold with other noble metals (Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru, W, or Os) on supported materials. This composite approach enhances catalytic activity at lower temperatures, allowing high reaction rates without causing decomposition or side reactions that would occur with thermal heating alone
2Reliability
If conventional catalysts (copper, silver, gold) are used, then dehydrogenation activity is achieved, but catalyst cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive conventional catalysts (especially pure gold or silver catalysts) with more cost-effective noble metal combinations. By using smaller amounts of highly active noble metals on supported materials, the patent achieves comparable or superior catalytic activity at reduced material cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite catalysts combining gold with other noble metals (Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru, W, or Os) on supported materials. This composite approach enhances catalytic activity per unit mass, reducing the total quantity of expensive noble metals required while maintaining high dehydrogenation activity
3Quantity of substance
If dehydrogenation is carried out in absence of oxygen, then catalyst cost decreases, but product mixture complexity increases requiring complex separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the atmospheric parameter from oxygen-free to oxygen-containing atmosphere, which fundamentally alters the reaction pathway. This enables selective oxidative dehydrogenation that produces a single desired aldehyde product rather than a mixture of isomers, thereby simplifying or eliminating separation requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically harmful effect of oxygen (which can cause unwanted oxidation) into a beneficial selective oxidant that directs the reaction toward a single desired product. The oxygen-containing atmosphere enables selective formation of the target aldehyde while suppressing side reactions that would create complex mixtures
4Productivity
If oxidative dehydrogenation is performed at high temperatures, then conversion efficiency increases, but selectivity decreases due to side reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to a lower range (50-240°C) and combines it with oxygen-containing atmosphere and specific catalyst composition. This parameter change enables high conversion efficiency while maintaining excellent selectivity by following a different reaction mechanism that avoids thermal decomposition pathways
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 approach enables efficient production of olefinically unsaturated carbonyl compounds at lower temperatures, reducing side reactions and catalyst costs, while achieving high selectivity and yield without the need for additional isomerization steps.
Implementation Method 1
a process for preparing olefinically unsaturated carbonyl compounds by oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols in an oxygen-containing atmosphere over a supported catalyst
Implementation Method 2
oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols to aldehydes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing olefinically unsaturated carbonyl compounds by oxidative dehydrogenation in an oxygen-containing atmosphere on a supported catalyst which contains gold and optionally additional noble metals, at temperatures in the range of 50 to 240°C.