- Email: [email protected]
acrylic acid
FOCUS high-purity metal scavenging macroporous resins for eliminating metal catalysts residue in pharma processes. The four new products include QuadraPure BZA (benzyl amine functionality), BDZ (amino imidazole functionality), EDA (ethylene diamine functionality) and DET (amino ethane thiol functionality). The expanded functionalities of the QuadraPure line offer solutions to a wide range of metal contamination that occur in pharma manufacture. Chimica Oggi, May/Jun 2006, 24 (3), 75
ENVIRONMENT Patents: a breath of fresh air European patent application 1670570 describes an office air purification system. The system uses a titanium dioxide catalyst and UV light to destroy harmful degradation products (such as methanol and formaldehyde) of flame retardant chemicals present in office furniture. The unit will operate in conditions of high humidity. Chemistry and Industry (London), 17 Jul 2006, (14), 16 (Website: http://www.chemind.org)
Kawasaki to acquire Xonon Cool Combustion gas turbine technology from Catalytica Energy Systems Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd and Catalytica Energy Systems Inc have announced that a definitive agreement has been reached for Kawasaki to purchase the Xonon Cool Combustion catalytic combustion technology and associated gas turbine assets from Catalytica Energy Systems. Catalytica Energy Systems will receive $2.1 M in cash proceeds from the sale in exchange for the assignment and license of intellectual property relating to its Xonon Cool Combustion system, the transfer of certain assets, and training. This transaction is expected to be completed by the end of Aug 2006. Effective upon the closing of the transaction, Kawasaki and Catalytica Energy Systems agreed to release and discharge each other from and against all potential claims. Press release from: Catalytica. Tel: +1 281 970 3255. Website: http://www.catalyticaenergy.com (3 Jul 2006)
SEPTEMBER 2006
ON
C ATA LY S T S
Alternative fuel firsts for Statoil Statoil opened a pump dispensing bioethanol at its Storo service station in Oslo, said to be the first in Norway, at the end of May 2006. The fuel, E85, is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol, particularly suitable for use in flexi-fuel vehicles. Currently, there are only a few of these types of vehicles in Norway. However, with the tax relief initiative of the Norwegian government on bioethanol fuel principally E85, granted earlier in 2006, the importation of flexi-fuel vehicles is expected to be made by auto dealers. Statoil has also inaugurated its first filling station for the additive AdBlue, in Berger, near Oslo. AdBlue, which is filled into a separate tank in the vehicle, removes nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines. This is achieved through a catalyst technology that changes harmful exhaust gases into steam and nitrogen. Petroleum Review, Jul 2006, 60 (714), 7 (The Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish St, London W1G 7AR, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7467 7100. Fax: +44 (0) 20 7255 1472. Website: http://www.energyinst.org.uk)
Enzyme preparation for organophosphorus pesticide degradation in China An enzyme preparation for the degradation of organophosphorus pesticides has been developed by the Biotechnology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science. The preparation can be used to safely and effectively remove pesticide residues from agricultural products. Wastewater generated by pesticide producers can be treated to enable environmental protection requirements to be met. In addition, the preparation can be used to remove toxic residues from vegetables and fruit. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Jul 2006, 17 (19), 13
PATENTS Dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons A process for dehydrogenating aliphatic hydrocarbons in the range C2–C30. The heat is generated by partial combustion. The essential
feature of the catalyst is that it is a Lewis acid with no Bronsted acidity. The examples describe platinum plus tin oxide, supported on zirconium silicate, silica, or magnesia. A bimodal pore size distribution is introduced by the “fugitive additive” method whereby an organic polymer (eg PVP) is introduced and then burnt off. US 7,087,802, BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany, 8 Aug 2006
Propane to acrolein/acrylic acid Other processes use two stages – conversion of propane to propene, followed by partial oxidation. This process combines the two functions in one catalyst – a mixed oxide of titania and molybdena. US 7,087,782, Haldor Topsoe A/S, Lyngby, Denmark, 8 Aug 2006
Continuous hydroformylation Decomposition of the usual rhodium diphosphate catalyst when the product is distilled out is minimised by conducting the distillation in the absence of hydrogen. US 7,087,797, DSM IP Assets BV, Heerlen, The Netherlands, 8 Aug 2006
Novel zeolite for selective partial oxidation A novel zeolite, having larger pores than the traditional TS-1, is made using benzyl-DABCO hydroxide as the structure-directing agent. The titanium version of this new zeolite is expected to catalyse epoxidations, but this is not exemplified. US 7,087,792, Chevron, San Ramon, CA, USA, 8 Aug 2006
Biodiesel from soapstock “Soapstock” is a by-product of the vegetable oil industry which contains up to 70% of fatty acids. It is first converted to a glyceride mixture by reaction with crude glycerol, and then transesterified into a mixture of methyl esters for use as biodiesel. The first of these processes is cataysed by residual alkali in the soapstock. The second process is catalysed by a traditional transesterification catalyst. US 7,087,771, BioSource America Inc, Houston, TX, USA, 8 Aug 2006
7
ENVIRONMENT Patents: a breath of fresh air European patent application 1670570 describes an office air purification system. The system uses a titanium dioxide catalyst and UV light to destroy harmful degradation products (such as methanol and formaldehyde) of flame retardant chemicals present in office furniture. The unit will operate in conditions of high humidity. Chemistry and Industry (London), 17 Jul 2006, (14), 16 (Website: http://www.chemind.org)
Kawasaki to acquire Xonon Cool Combustion gas turbine technology from Catalytica Energy Systems Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd and Catalytica Energy Systems Inc have announced that a definitive agreement has been reached for Kawasaki to purchase the Xonon Cool Combustion catalytic combustion technology and associated gas turbine assets from Catalytica Energy Systems. Catalytica Energy Systems will receive $2.1 M in cash proceeds from the sale in exchange for the assignment and license of intellectual property relating to its Xonon Cool Combustion system, the transfer of certain assets, and training. This transaction is expected to be completed by the end of Aug 2006. Effective upon the closing of the transaction, Kawasaki and Catalytica Energy Systems agreed to release and discharge each other from and against all potential claims. Press release from: Catalytica. Tel: +1 281 970 3255. Website: http://www.catalyticaenergy.com (3 Jul 2006)
SEPTEMBER 2006
ON
C ATA LY S T S
Alternative fuel firsts for Statoil Statoil opened a pump dispensing bioethanol at its Storo service station in Oslo, said to be the first in Norway, at the end of May 2006. The fuel, E85, is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol, particularly suitable for use in flexi-fuel vehicles. Currently, there are only a few of these types of vehicles in Norway. However, with the tax relief initiative of the Norwegian government on bioethanol fuel principally E85, granted earlier in 2006, the importation of flexi-fuel vehicles is expected to be made by auto dealers. Statoil has also inaugurated its first filling station for the additive AdBlue, in Berger, near Oslo. AdBlue, which is filled into a separate tank in the vehicle, removes nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines. This is achieved through a catalyst technology that changes harmful exhaust gases into steam and nitrogen. Petroleum Review, Jul 2006, 60 (714), 7 (The Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish St, London W1G 7AR, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7467 7100. Fax: +44 (0) 20 7255 1472. Website: http://www.energyinst.org.uk)
Enzyme preparation for organophosphorus pesticide degradation in China An enzyme preparation for the degradation of organophosphorus pesticides has been developed by the Biotechnology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science. The preparation can be used to safely and effectively remove pesticide residues from agricultural products. Wastewater generated by pesticide producers can be treated to enable environmental protection requirements to be met. In addition, the preparation can be used to remove toxic residues from vegetables and fruit. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Jul 2006, 17 (19), 13
PATENTS Dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons A process for dehydrogenating aliphatic hydrocarbons in the range C2–C30. The heat is generated by partial combustion. The essential
feature of the catalyst is that it is a Lewis acid with no Bronsted acidity. The examples describe platinum plus tin oxide, supported on zirconium silicate, silica, or magnesia. A bimodal pore size distribution is introduced by the “fugitive additive” method whereby an organic polymer (eg PVP) is introduced and then burnt off. US 7,087,802, BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany, 8 Aug 2006
Propane to acrolein/acrylic acid Other processes use two stages – conversion of propane to propene, followed by partial oxidation. This process combines the two functions in one catalyst – a mixed oxide of titania and molybdena. US 7,087,782, Haldor Topsoe A/S, Lyngby, Denmark, 8 Aug 2006
Continuous hydroformylation Decomposition of the usual rhodium diphosphate catalyst when the product is distilled out is minimised by conducting the distillation in the absence of hydrogen. US 7,087,797, DSM IP Assets BV, Heerlen, The Netherlands, 8 Aug 2006
Novel zeolite for selective partial oxidation A novel zeolite, having larger pores than the traditional TS-1, is made using benzyl-DABCO hydroxide as the structure-directing agent. The titanium version of this new zeolite is expected to catalyse epoxidations, but this is not exemplified. US 7,087,792, Chevron, San Ramon, CA, USA, 8 Aug 2006
Biodiesel from soapstock “Soapstock” is a by-product of the vegetable oil industry which contains up to 70% of fatty acids. It is first converted to a glyceride mixture by reaction with crude glycerol, and then transesterified into a mixture of methyl esters for use as biodiesel. The first of these processes is cataysed by residual alkali in the soapstock. The second process is catalysed by a traditional transesterification catalyst. US 7,087,771, BioSource America Inc, Houston, TX, USA, 8 Aug 2006
7