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Enzymatic decontamination of nerve gases
FOCUS Effects of oil additives on autocatalysts Since the introduction of autocatalysts in the 1970s, the effects of sulfated ash, phosphorus, and sulfur (SAPS) in engine oils on catalyst performance and durability have been continuously monitored. However, the deterioration in emissions attributable to the oil can be difficult to quantify. With severer emission limits under discussion, together with extended durability requirements, the impact of SAPS on catalysts and filters is increasing the need to develop low SAPS oils that do not compromise engine wear or oil consumption. The oil additives industry is actively pursuing this, and may ultimately require the availability of ashless, phosphorus- and/or sulfurfree components and the use of higher quality, low-sulfur base stocks, all of which add complexity and cost to the formulations. Platinum Metals Review, Jan 2004, 48 (1), 44 (Johnson Matthey, 40-42 Hatton Gardens, London EC1N 8EE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8000. Fax: +44 (0)20 7269 8389. Website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com)
Süd-Chemie targets 100 tonne/y automotive synthetic zeolite sales The undercoats of catalyst carriers for control of automotive emissions are based on synthetic zeolites. These temporarily adsorb NOx and hydrocarbons emitted when the engine has just been started but is still cold. When the engine warms up, they are emitted by the zeolites and purified with a three-way catalyst before being released to the atmosphere. There is increasing use of synthetic zeolites in this application and Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan aims to increase its share of the market. Within three years, it is aiming at sales of 100 tonne/y. The zeolites are produced at a 1000 tonne/y facility operated by Süd-Chemie in South Africa. Japan Chemical Week, 12 Feb 2004, 45 (2257), 2
Enzymatic decontamination of nerve gases The US Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and Genencor International Inc are collaborating in the development and commercialisation of enzymes which
APRIL 2004
ON
C ATA LY S T S
will decontaminate organophosphate nerve agents, including Sarin. Genencor will scale up production and manufacture the enzymes, which can be added to water. The enzymes can be dispensed in foams, sprays, or detergents. Chemical Market Reporter, 23 Feb 2004 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Press release from Genencor International Inc, 200, Meridian Centre Boulevard, Rochester, NY 146183916, USA. Tel: +1 585 256 5200. Fax: +1 585 256 6952. Website: http://www.genencor.com) (19 Feb 2004)
Neozyme announces large order for Nontox Neozyme International Inc (Neozyme) has received a Nontox order from its Australian agent. The customer, a major real estate development company, has to resolve several onsite hydrocarbon remediation compliance orders before construction can begin. Where cleanup time is financially important, Neozyme’s patented Nontox bioorganic catalyst has proven to accelerate, at an incredible rate, the biological breakdown of hydrocarbon contamination in both soil and water. Neozyme manufactures and sells its patented line of bioorganic catalytic formulations for numerous markets including, but not limited to, municipal wastewater treatment, commercial/industrial, hydrocarbon remediation, industrial metal cleaning, and agriculture. Press release from: International Daleco Corp, 33 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, USA. Tel: +1 949 360 4288. Fax: +1 949 360 8774. Website: http://www.daleco.com) (23 Feb 2004)
PATENTS Hybrid porous aluminosilicate/carbon mesostructures This is an important patent from Thomas Pinnavaia who has been the leader in devising structured mesoporous materials for many years. His objective was to design mesoporous materials which did not collapse because of de-alumination when they were calcined. There are only four claims, focusing on defining the products. Some of the products are composites of aluminosilicates with carbon. They are useful for
hydrocarbon conversions, cracking, and hydrocracking. US 6,702,993, 9 Mar 2004, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
Supported copper catalysts Supported copper metal catalysts containing high copper concentrations and having copper surface areas of at least 60 m2 are described. They are made by impregnating porous alumina supports with an aqueous copper ammine carbonate complex, and calcining. The products are useful as hydrogenation catalysts and also for purifying gases and liquids by removing sulfur compounds. US 6,703,342, 9 Mar 2004, Johnson Matthey PLC, London, UK
Supported osmate catalyst Osmium tetraoxide is commonly used in the dihydroxylation of alkenes but is difficult to recover completely and may contaminate the products. In this invention the osmate is supported on a quaternary ammonium anion exchange resin. It is useful for the asymmetric oxidation of alkenes in the presence of a cinchona alkaloid. US 6,703,531, 9 Mar 2004, CSIR, New Delhi, India
Porous interlayered silicate for making caprolactam A porous, pillared layered silicate is used for catalysing the vapour-phase Beckmann re-arrangement of cyclohexanone oxime to caprolactam. Eight layered silicates have been used, pillared with the oxides of Ta, Nb, Ti, or Si. US 6,703,501, 9 Mar 2004, Korea Institute of Science & Technology, Seoul, South Korea
Preparation of difluoromethane Difluoromethane is made by catalytically reducing dichlorodifluoromethane with hydrogen at 120-400°. The catalyst is palladium containing another metal selected from V, Zr, Ca, Mg, Nb, or Ta, supported on active carbon. US 6,700,026, 2 Mar 2004, Daikin Industries Ltd, Osaka, Japan
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Süd-Chemie targets 100 tonne/y automotive synthetic zeolite sales The undercoats of catalyst carriers for control of automotive emissions are based on synthetic zeolites. These temporarily adsorb NOx and hydrocarbons emitted when the engine has just been started but is still cold. When the engine warms up, they are emitted by the zeolites and purified with a three-way catalyst before being released to the atmosphere. There is increasing use of synthetic zeolites in this application and Süd-Chemie Catalysts Japan aims to increase its share of the market. Within three years, it is aiming at sales of 100 tonne/y. The zeolites are produced at a 1000 tonne/y facility operated by Süd-Chemie in South Africa. Japan Chemical Week, 12 Feb 2004, 45 (2257), 2
Enzymatic decontamination of nerve gases The US Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and Genencor International Inc are collaborating in the development and commercialisation of enzymes which
APRIL 2004
ON
C ATA LY S T S
will decontaminate organophosphate nerve agents, including Sarin. Genencor will scale up production and manufacture the enzymes, which can be added to water. The enzymes can be dispensed in foams, sprays, or detergents. Chemical Market Reporter, 23 Feb 2004 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Press release from Genencor International Inc, 200, Meridian Centre Boulevard, Rochester, NY 146183916, USA. Tel: +1 585 256 5200. Fax: +1 585 256 6952. Website: http://www.genencor.com) (19 Feb 2004)
Neozyme announces large order for Nontox Neozyme International Inc (Neozyme) has received a Nontox order from its Australian agent. The customer, a major real estate development company, has to resolve several onsite hydrocarbon remediation compliance orders before construction can begin. Where cleanup time is financially important, Neozyme’s patented Nontox bioorganic catalyst has proven to accelerate, at an incredible rate, the biological breakdown of hydrocarbon contamination in both soil and water. Neozyme manufactures and sells its patented line of bioorganic catalytic formulations for numerous markets including, but not limited to, municipal wastewater treatment, commercial/industrial, hydrocarbon remediation, industrial metal cleaning, and agriculture. Press release from: International Daleco Corp, 33 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, USA. Tel: +1 949 360 4288. Fax: +1 949 360 8774. Website: http://www.daleco.com) (23 Feb 2004)
PATENTS Hybrid porous aluminosilicate/carbon mesostructures This is an important patent from Thomas Pinnavaia who has been the leader in devising structured mesoporous materials for many years. His objective was to design mesoporous materials which did not collapse because of de-alumination when they were calcined. There are only four claims, focusing on defining the products. Some of the products are composites of aluminosilicates with carbon. They are useful for
hydrocarbon conversions, cracking, and hydrocracking. US 6,702,993, 9 Mar 2004, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
Supported copper catalysts Supported copper metal catalysts containing high copper concentrations and having copper surface areas of at least 60 m2 are described. They are made by impregnating porous alumina supports with an aqueous copper ammine carbonate complex, and calcining. The products are useful as hydrogenation catalysts and also for purifying gases and liquids by removing sulfur compounds. US 6,703,342, 9 Mar 2004, Johnson Matthey PLC, London, UK
Supported osmate catalyst Osmium tetraoxide is commonly used in the dihydroxylation of alkenes but is difficult to recover completely and may contaminate the products. In this invention the osmate is supported on a quaternary ammonium anion exchange resin. It is useful for the asymmetric oxidation of alkenes in the presence of a cinchona alkaloid. US 6,703,531, 9 Mar 2004, CSIR, New Delhi, India
Porous interlayered silicate for making caprolactam A porous, pillared layered silicate is used for catalysing the vapour-phase Beckmann re-arrangement of cyclohexanone oxime to caprolactam. Eight layered silicates have been used, pillared with the oxides of Ta, Nb, Ti, or Si. US 6,703,501, 9 Mar 2004, Korea Institute of Science & Technology, Seoul, South Korea
Preparation of difluoromethane Difluoromethane is made by catalytically reducing dichlorodifluoromethane with hydrogen at 120-400°. The catalyst is palladium containing another metal selected from V, Zr, Ca, Mg, Nb, or Ta, supported on active carbon. US 6,700,026, 2 Mar 2004, Daikin Industries Ltd, Osaka, Japan
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