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MIBK from acetone in one step
F O C U S 800°C).Startup is within 10 minutes, compared to at least one hour for conventional systems. Japan Chemical Week, 4 Jul 2002, 43 (2178), 4
MIBK from acetone in one step Jilin Petrochemical Co has developed a new catalyst for use in a one-step process for synthesizing MIBK from acetone. The process has been approved by Jilin Provincial Science and Technology Department and can be used to produce 10,000 tonne/y MIBK. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Jul 2002, 13 (19), 23
Daiso licenses-in US optical resolution catalyst process Daiso has signed an exclusive worldwide licence agreement with Professor Li Deng of Brandeis University, US, to use the optical resolution catalytic process developed by Professor Deng. Daiso will now start full-scale production of optically active non-natural amino acids and 2hydroxycarboxylic acid. These 2 materials will now be made available for use in various pharmaceuticals. Daiso hopes that this deal will enable it to double its current turnover for optically active substances to Yen 2 bn in 2005. Japan Chemical Week, 18 Jul 2002, 43 (2180), 1
Process technology an enzymatic route to polyurethanes Researchers at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK were able to create a low-temperature, enzymatic route for the synthesis of standard and novel polyester-based polyurethanes. The new process reverses the traditional route by producing the urethane first and then utilising the enzyme for synthesising the polymers at low temperature. It also involves reacting ethylene carbonate and hexamethylenediamine to produce bis(hydroxyethyl) hexamethylene carbamate. A completely new line of important polymers, including water-soluble polymers based on short chain diamines, may be developed through
SEPTEMBER 2002
O N
C ATA LY S T S
the use of diurethane diols from diamines instead of those derived from diisocyanates as safe polyester polyurethanes precursors. Lancashire-based Baxenden Chemicals, which makes polyesters through a similar enzymatic route, is starting up the new process and has already applied for a patent.
bacteria multiplying on the fabric, and can survive more than 100 washes. The company is aiming for sales of the coated fabric of Yen 1.5 bn in three years.
Chemical Engineering Progress, Jul 2002, 98 (7), 18
PATENTS
Nikkei Net, 11 Jul 2002 (Website: http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/)
Novel catalyst destroys reactive oxygen in vivo
Reversibly soluble enzyme-polymer conjugates
In late 2001, Modex Therapeutics inlicensed a pre-clinical small molecule, Oxyscav, a small synthetic molecule that can catalytically convert toxic reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide ions and hydrogen peroxide, into non-toxic molecules. These will be used for the prevention or treatment of radiation-induced skin damage for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Currently there is no preventive therapy for this indication. Following a meeting with the FDA in early 2002, the company is now completing the final toxicity tests in order to timely file the IND package in 2002.
An alternative to an immobilised enzyme is one which can be switched between soluble and insoluble states by small changes in its environment. The enzyme is chemically attached to such a “smart” polymer. In this invention, a free vinyl group is attached to the enzyme molecule as a point of attachment to the polymer.
Modex Therapeutics 1Q 2002 Results, 6 May 2002, 3 (Modex Therapeutics Ltd, Lausanne, Switzerland. Website: http://www.mdxn.ch)
US 6,433,078, 13 Aug 2002, Polium Technologies Inc, Shrewsbury, MA, USA
Supported olefin polymerization catalyst The silica support is reacted successively with an aluminium alkyl, a non-coordinating anion, and a metallocene complex. Used in gasphase polymerizations. US 6,433,111, 13 Aug 2002, Basell Polyolefine GmbH, Kehl, Germany
ENVIRONMENT New technology for catalyst recovery
Catalyst for making pentafluoroethane
Johnson Matthey is to launch new technology to recover precious metals from spent catalysts. This will be promoted under the name Aquacat.
The object is to make pentafluoroethane containing minimal quantities of chlorofluoroethanes from chlorinated ethanes, using HF as the fluorinating agent. The catalyst is an amorphous chromium oxide or fluorinated chromium oxide, promoted by In, Ga, Co, Ni, Zn, or Al.
PharmaChem, Jun 2002, 1 (6), 60 (B5 srl, Via Cesare da Sesto, 10-20123 Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 02 83241119. Fax: + 39 02 8376457. Website: http://www.b5srl.com)
Toray swimsuit fabric fights chlorine odours and bacteria Toray Industries Inc has developed a fabric coating, containing photocatalytic titanium oxide, which breaks down sodium hypochlorite ions which cause odour, and converts them into odourless chloride ions. The coating also contains zeolite-based antimicrobial agents to prevent
US 6,433,233, 13 Aug 2002, Daikin Industries Ltd, Osaka, Japan
Iron-based catalyst for oligomerizing conjugated dienes Known catalysts for making oligomers of conjugated dienes such as butadiene and isoprene exhibit low activity and selectivity. Better catalysts comprise systems of iron halides with
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MIBK from acetone in one step Jilin Petrochemical Co has developed a new catalyst for use in a one-step process for synthesizing MIBK from acetone. The process has been approved by Jilin Provincial Science and Technology Department and can be used to produce 10,000 tonne/y MIBK. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Jul 2002, 13 (19), 23
Daiso licenses-in US optical resolution catalyst process Daiso has signed an exclusive worldwide licence agreement with Professor Li Deng of Brandeis University, US, to use the optical resolution catalytic process developed by Professor Deng. Daiso will now start full-scale production of optically active non-natural amino acids and 2hydroxycarboxylic acid. These 2 materials will now be made available for use in various pharmaceuticals. Daiso hopes that this deal will enable it to double its current turnover for optically active substances to Yen 2 bn in 2005. Japan Chemical Week, 18 Jul 2002, 43 (2180), 1
Process technology an enzymatic route to polyurethanes Researchers at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK were able to create a low-temperature, enzymatic route for the synthesis of standard and novel polyester-based polyurethanes. The new process reverses the traditional route by producing the urethane first and then utilising the enzyme for synthesising the polymers at low temperature. It also involves reacting ethylene carbonate and hexamethylenediamine to produce bis(hydroxyethyl) hexamethylene carbamate. A completely new line of important polymers, including water-soluble polymers based on short chain diamines, may be developed through
SEPTEMBER 2002
O N
C ATA LY S T S
the use of diurethane diols from diamines instead of those derived from diisocyanates as safe polyester polyurethanes precursors. Lancashire-based Baxenden Chemicals, which makes polyesters through a similar enzymatic route, is starting up the new process and has already applied for a patent.
bacteria multiplying on the fabric, and can survive more than 100 washes. The company is aiming for sales of the coated fabric of Yen 1.5 bn in three years.
Chemical Engineering Progress, Jul 2002, 98 (7), 18
PATENTS
Nikkei Net, 11 Jul 2002 (Website: http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/)
Novel catalyst destroys reactive oxygen in vivo
Reversibly soluble enzyme-polymer conjugates
In late 2001, Modex Therapeutics inlicensed a pre-clinical small molecule, Oxyscav, a small synthetic molecule that can catalytically convert toxic reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide ions and hydrogen peroxide, into non-toxic molecules. These will be used for the prevention or treatment of radiation-induced skin damage for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Currently there is no preventive therapy for this indication. Following a meeting with the FDA in early 2002, the company is now completing the final toxicity tests in order to timely file the IND package in 2002.
An alternative to an immobilised enzyme is one which can be switched between soluble and insoluble states by small changes in its environment. The enzyme is chemically attached to such a “smart” polymer. In this invention, a free vinyl group is attached to the enzyme molecule as a point of attachment to the polymer.
Modex Therapeutics 1Q 2002 Results, 6 May 2002, 3 (Modex Therapeutics Ltd, Lausanne, Switzerland. Website: http://www.mdxn.ch)
US 6,433,078, 13 Aug 2002, Polium Technologies Inc, Shrewsbury, MA, USA
Supported olefin polymerization catalyst The silica support is reacted successively with an aluminium alkyl, a non-coordinating anion, and a metallocene complex. Used in gasphase polymerizations. US 6,433,111, 13 Aug 2002, Basell Polyolefine GmbH, Kehl, Germany
ENVIRONMENT New technology for catalyst recovery
Catalyst for making pentafluoroethane
Johnson Matthey is to launch new technology to recover precious metals from spent catalysts. This will be promoted under the name Aquacat.
The object is to make pentafluoroethane containing minimal quantities of chlorofluoroethanes from chlorinated ethanes, using HF as the fluorinating agent. The catalyst is an amorphous chromium oxide or fluorinated chromium oxide, promoted by In, Ga, Co, Ni, Zn, or Al.
PharmaChem, Jun 2002, 1 (6), 60 (B5 srl, Via Cesare da Sesto, 10-20123 Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 02 83241119. Fax: + 39 02 8376457. Website: http://www.b5srl.com)
Toray swimsuit fabric fights chlorine odours and bacteria Toray Industries Inc has developed a fabric coating, containing photocatalytic titanium oxide, which breaks down sodium hypochlorite ions which cause odour, and converts them into odourless chloride ions. The coating also contains zeolite-based antimicrobial agents to prevent
US 6,433,233, 13 Aug 2002, Daikin Industries Ltd, Osaka, Japan
Iron-based catalyst for oligomerizing conjugated dienes Known catalysts for making oligomers of conjugated dienes such as butadiene and isoprene exhibit low activity and selectivity. Better catalysts comprise systems of iron halides with
7