- Email: [email protected]
Emissions from modern gasoline vehicles — a problem essentially solved?
F O C U S firm’s Mini-Plant in Stockton-on-Tees in the UK and is collaborating with an undisclosed German institute to carry out high-throughput experimental development of second-generation catalysts for the hydrogenation step. The firm has started front-end engineering of a 5000 tonne/y demonstration plant and plans to build a 50,000-70,000 tonne/y PDO production plant in the next few years. The process is economically attractive with a gate price of $1000/tonne. Chemical Engineering Progress, Jun 2003, 99 (6), 14
Shell makes PO from cumene Shell has developed a new catalytic process for making propylene oxide by oxidising cumene. The process can also be used in the presence of phenol or acetone to make propylene oxide and is much more effective than existing processes. Its catalyst is more selective and the process generates fewer by-products. The main by-product is an alcohol which can easily be hydrogenated to form cumene which can then be recycled. Meanwhile Dow Chemical and BASF, Degussa, and Uhde are working on their own direct oxidation processes using hydrogen peroxide. Lyondell Chemical claims to have developed technology for converting propylene, hydrogen, and oxygen into propylene oxide without the need for hydrogen peroxide. Chimie Hebdo, 30 Jun 2003, (219), 18 (in French)
Odourless polyurethane: Dow Chemical As part of its initiative to set a standard for VOC emissions from polyurethane flexible foams, Voranol and Voractive polyols have been introduced by Dow Chemical. The amine emissions from the PU foam are dramatically reduced by these catalytically active polyols. Manufacturers can also reduce the handling of amine catalysts. The new polyols cut down the number of processing steps. They eliminate staining, fogging, and agents causing odours. European Chemical News, 14 Jul 2003, 79 (2061), 34
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Solution to key problems in polycarbonate production Global capacity for polycarbonate (PC) is currently around 2.5 M tonne/y. Demand for PC in China exceeds 300,000 tonnes. Output stands at less than 5000 tonne/y. PC production in China has been restricted by the lack of process technology, pollution, production costs, equipment corrosion, and the large amounts of catalysts required. A new production technology (heterogeneous catalytic oxidative carbonylation method and the fixed bed technology to synthesize diphenyl carbonate) has been developed at Wuhan College of Chemical Technology for making diphenyl carbonate, a raw material for use in the production of polycarbonate used for the manufacture of CDs. The new process solves most of the problems mentioned above. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Jul 2003, 14 (19), 12
Daiso introducing US asymmetric synthesis for optically active substances Optically active pharmaceutical ingredients are being produced by Daiso using new technology developed by Brandeis University, US. Dicarboxylic anhydride is reacted with alcohols in the presence of optically active catalysts. Optically active hemiesters are produced when the catalysts incorporate frameworks of quinine, quinidine, or other compounds. The molecular structure of the compounds includes carboxylic acid and ester groups. The range of optically active derivatives that can be produced using this process will be more comprehensive than previously. Theoretically, a 100% yield can be obtained. Further details are given. In fiscal 2005, the sales target is Yen 70 bn. In fiscal 2002, consolidated sales by Daiso amounted to Yen 58,278 M. Japan Chemical Week, 17 Jul 2003, 44 (2229), 1,3
Chiral Quest receives US patent for DIOP* ligand family Chiral Quest Inc announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent (No 6,576,772) covering composition of matter for chiral bisphosphine ligands derived from D-mannitol to The Penn State Research Foundation. Professor Xumu Zhang, Chiral Quest’s Chief Technology Officer is the inventor on the patent. Chiral Quest Inc is the exclusive licensee of the patent. The new DIOP* ligand differs from the wellknown DIOP* ligand in its conformational stability. Methyl groups and other substituents in DIOP* are oriented in equatorial positions. This conformational difference has produced a dramatic increase of enantioselectivity for the hydrogenation of enamides. Rhodium-complexes of DIOP* form efficient catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides. Chiral bisphosphines are the sixth family of ligands to be added to Chiral Quest’s patent portfolio. Chiral Quest Inc is a life sciences chemistry company that provides chiral products and services to the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. Press release from Chiral Quest Inc, 149 West Fairmount Avenue, State College, PA 16801, USA. Tel: +1 814 234 2348. Fax: +1 814 234 2494. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.chiralquest.com (10 Jul 2003)
ENVIRONMENT Emissions from modern gasoline vehicles – a problem essentially solved? Over recent years, vehicle technologies have developed rapidly with significant improvements in emissions control. Exhaust catalysts were first required on European gasoline cars with the introduction of Euro-1 emissions limits in 1993, with subsequent evolution to the Euro-3 emissions limits of today and ‘nearzero’ Euro-4 limits from 2005. The current challenge on gasoline cars is to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions, with vehicle manufacturers currently working towards the voluntary agreement for a European passenger car fleet average of 140 g/km carbon dioxide emissions by 2008. A review covers: test vehicles, fuels & design, sulfur effects on regulated emissions, particulate mass emissions, vehicle effects, comparison of sulfur effects with other studies, and summary. Concawe Review, Apr 2003, 12 (1), 11-13 (Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, B-1160, Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 566 9160. Fax: +32 2 566 9181. Website: http://www.concawe.be)
SEPTEMBER 2003
Shell makes PO from cumene Shell has developed a new catalytic process for making propylene oxide by oxidising cumene. The process can also be used in the presence of phenol or acetone to make propylene oxide and is much more effective than existing processes. Its catalyst is more selective and the process generates fewer by-products. The main by-product is an alcohol which can easily be hydrogenated to form cumene which can then be recycled. Meanwhile Dow Chemical and BASF, Degussa, and Uhde are working on their own direct oxidation processes using hydrogen peroxide. Lyondell Chemical claims to have developed technology for converting propylene, hydrogen, and oxygen into propylene oxide without the need for hydrogen peroxide. Chimie Hebdo, 30 Jun 2003, (219), 18 (in French)
Odourless polyurethane: Dow Chemical As part of its initiative to set a standard for VOC emissions from polyurethane flexible foams, Voranol and Voractive polyols have been introduced by Dow Chemical. The amine emissions from the PU foam are dramatically reduced by these catalytically active polyols. Manufacturers can also reduce the handling of amine catalysts. The new polyols cut down the number of processing steps. They eliminate staining, fogging, and agents causing odours. European Chemical News, 14 Jul 2003, 79 (2061), 34
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C ATA LY S T S
Solution to key problems in polycarbonate production Global capacity for polycarbonate (PC) is currently around 2.5 M tonne/y. Demand for PC in China exceeds 300,000 tonnes. Output stands at less than 5000 tonne/y. PC production in China has been restricted by the lack of process technology, pollution, production costs, equipment corrosion, and the large amounts of catalysts required. A new production technology (heterogeneous catalytic oxidative carbonylation method and the fixed bed technology to synthesize diphenyl carbonate) has been developed at Wuhan College of Chemical Technology for making diphenyl carbonate, a raw material for use in the production of polycarbonate used for the manufacture of CDs. The new process solves most of the problems mentioned above. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Jul 2003, 14 (19), 12
Daiso introducing US asymmetric synthesis for optically active substances Optically active pharmaceutical ingredients are being produced by Daiso using new technology developed by Brandeis University, US. Dicarboxylic anhydride is reacted with alcohols in the presence of optically active catalysts. Optically active hemiesters are produced when the catalysts incorporate frameworks of quinine, quinidine, or other compounds. The molecular structure of the compounds includes carboxylic acid and ester groups. The range of optically active derivatives that can be produced using this process will be more comprehensive than previously. Theoretically, a 100% yield can be obtained. Further details are given. In fiscal 2005, the sales target is Yen 70 bn. In fiscal 2002, consolidated sales by Daiso amounted to Yen 58,278 M. Japan Chemical Week, 17 Jul 2003, 44 (2229), 1,3
Chiral Quest receives US patent for DIOP* ligand family Chiral Quest Inc announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent (No 6,576,772) covering composition of matter for chiral bisphosphine ligands derived from D-mannitol to The Penn State Research Foundation. Professor Xumu Zhang, Chiral Quest’s Chief Technology Officer is the inventor on the patent. Chiral Quest Inc is the exclusive licensee of the patent. The new DIOP* ligand differs from the wellknown DIOP* ligand in its conformational stability. Methyl groups and other substituents in DIOP* are oriented in equatorial positions. This conformational difference has produced a dramatic increase of enantioselectivity for the hydrogenation of enamides. Rhodium-complexes of DIOP* form efficient catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides. Chiral bisphosphines are the sixth family of ligands to be added to Chiral Quest’s patent portfolio. Chiral Quest Inc is a life sciences chemistry company that provides chiral products and services to the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. Press release from Chiral Quest Inc, 149 West Fairmount Avenue, State College, PA 16801, USA. Tel: +1 814 234 2348. Fax: +1 814 234 2494. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.chiralquest.com (10 Jul 2003)
ENVIRONMENT Emissions from modern gasoline vehicles – a problem essentially solved? Over recent years, vehicle technologies have developed rapidly with significant improvements in emissions control. Exhaust catalysts were first required on European gasoline cars with the introduction of Euro-1 emissions limits in 1993, with subsequent evolution to the Euro-3 emissions limits of today and ‘nearzero’ Euro-4 limits from 2005. The current challenge on gasoline cars is to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions, with vehicle manufacturers currently working towards the voluntary agreement for a European passenger car fleet average of 140 g/km carbon dioxide emissions by 2008. A review covers: test vehicles, fuels & design, sulfur effects on regulated emissions, particulate mass emissions, vehicle effects, comparison of sulfur effects with other studies, and summary. Concawe Review, Apr 2003, 12 (1), 11-13 (Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, B-1160, Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 566 9160. Fax: +32 2 566 9181. Website: http://www.concawe.be)
SEPTEMBER 2003