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Selective catalyst for hydrogenating acetylene
F O C U S emission control technologies to pharmaceutical production. The alliance will involve the re-development of the new series of palladiumcontaining perovskite (Pd-perovskite) catalysts, initially formulated by Hokko for high-efficiency catalytic converters, for organic chemistry applications. Reaxa intends to develop Pdperovskites for pharmaceuticals and fine chemical synthesis applications and to use these new and highly active catalysts in drug process development and scale-up. The agreement will provide Reaxa exclusive commercialisation rights for Hokko’s perovskite catalyst line for use in organic chemistry outside Japan. Manufacturing Chemist, Dec 2005-Jan 2006, 76 (12), 21
New catalyst efficiently removes CO from offices, suitable for smokers A new catalysts that converts carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide has been developed by Kansai Coke and Chemicals for clean air applications. The company enhanced its COconversion technology by integrating a precious metal and a catalyst carrier, producing a novel catalyst that has the capability for repeated use. Japan Chemical Week, 2 Feb 2006, 47 (2353), 2
Commercial application of carrier silica gel Lanzhou Petrochemical Co Ltd has developed a silica gel (LSG-1) at its research institute for use in production of LLDPE and HDPE, using UCC or Univation technology. Successful commercial testing was carried out at Liaoyang Yingkou Xiangyang Catalyst Co Ltd. Lanzhou Petrochemical will build a 100 tonne/y SLG-1 silica gel unit shortly. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Jan 2006, 17 (1), 15
Catalyst and process for the clean production of diphenyl carbonate Chengdu Organic Chemistry Co Ltd has developed a new catalyst and process for the clean production of diphenyl carbonate, using ester exchanges between dimethyl carbonate and phenol. A 1000 tonne/y pilot unit has been built, a commercial testing of 10,000 tonne/y units is
APRIL 2006
ON
C ATA LY S T S
underway. There are applications in the pesticide, pharmaceutical, plasticizer, solvent, and polycarbonate sectors. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Jan 2006, 17 (1), 15
Breakthroughs in natural gas conversion technology In China, new synthesis gas technology has been utilised in Inner Mongolia Tianye Chemical Group’s oil-to-gas project at the company’s ammonia plant. The technology was developed by the Clean Coal Technology Research Institute of East China University of Science and Technology. Unlike conventional synthesis gas technology, the new process does not use nickel catalysts. The technique is expected to be a driver in the growth of China’s natural gas chemistry and GTL sectors. China Chemical Reporter, 16 Jan 2006, 17 (2), 13
PATENTS Continuous modification of homogeneous catalyst during reaction The well-known Monsanto Process makes acetic acid by the carbonylation of methanol, catalysed by rhodium iodide. For various reasons it is sometimes necessary to modify the activity of the catalyst by adding a soluble iridium compound, or even replacing all the rhodium by iridium. The patent describes a method for making this replacement continuously, without interrupting the process. US 7,009,070, Acetex Chimie, Neuilly sur Seine, France, 7 Mar 2006
Oxidation of propane to acrylic acid Propylene is the usual industrial precursor of acrylic acid but propane would be preferred because it is cheaper. Mixed metal oxides based on molybdovanadates are known catalysts for this oxidation reaction. This patent teaches that additions of niobium, tellurium, and antimony are beneficial. US 7,009,075, Saudi Basic Industries Corp, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 7 Mar 2006
Direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide This invention is intended to produce a solution of hydrogen peroxide suitable for oxidising organic chemicals on an industrial scale. The mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is outside the explosive range. The catalyst is principally palladium, contained in a trickle-bed reactor. The solvent is typically methanol containing traces of bromide and sulfuric acid. US 7,005,528, Degussa AG, Düsseldorf, Germany, 28 Feb 2006
Metal-organic frameworks for the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide Porous materials based on metal organic frameworks have been known for only about 10 years. They are based on transition metals and polycarboxy compounds, eg zinc and terephthalic acid. Such a material can be used to support a catalyst used to make hydrogen peroxide from the elements (see previous abstract). US 7,008,607, BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, 7 Mar 2007
Direct oxidation of methane to acetic acid This is not a developed process but a feasibility study using a sealed system for a batch process. The oxidant is molecular oxygen, the catalyst is palladium sulfate promoted by copper, the solvent is concentrated or fuming sulfuric acid. Modest yields of acetic acid and methanol were obtained. Advantages are claimed over a similar process described in 2003. US 7,009,074, University of California, Oakland, CA, US and BP Chemicals Ltd, Middlesex, UK, 7 Mar 2006
Selective catalyst for hydrogenating acetylene Traces of acetylene in the ethylene used for making polyethylene are deleterious to the polymerisation process. The acetylene can be removed by hydrogenation over a selective catalyst such as a palladium/silver alloy promoted with potassium hexafluoroantimonate. US 7,009,085, Phillips Petroleum Co, Bartlesville, OK, US, 7 Mar 2006
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New catalyst efficiently removes CO from offices, suitable for smokers A new catalysts that converts carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide has been developed by Kansai Coke and Chemicals for clean air applications. The company enhanced its COconversion technology by integrating a precious metal and a catalyst carrier, producing a novel catalyst that has the capability for repeated use. Japan Chemical Week, 2 Feb 2006, 47 (2353), 2
Commercial application of carrier silica gel Lanzhou Petrochemical Co Ltd has developed a silica gel (LSG-1) at its research institute for use in production of LLDPE and HDPE, using UCC or Univation technology. Successful commercial testing was carried out at Liaoyang Yingkou Xiangyang Catalyst Co Ltd. Lanzhou Petrochemical will build a 100 tonne/y SLG-1 silica gel unit shortly. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Jan 2006, 17 (1), 15
Catalyst and process for the clean production of diphenyl carbonate Chengdu Organic Chemistry Co Ltd has developed a new catalyst and process for the clean production of diphenyl carbonate, using ester exchanges between dimethyl carbonate and phenol. A 1000 tonne/y pilot unit has been built, a commercial testing of 10,000 tonne/y units is
APRIL 2006
ON
C ATA LY S T S
underway. There are applications in the pesticide, pharmaceutical, plasticizer, solvent, and polycarbonate sectors. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Jan 2006, 17 (1), 15
Breakthroughs in natural gas conversion technology In China, new synthesis gas technology has been utilised in Inner Mongolia Tianye Chemical Group’s oil-to-gas project at the company’s ammonia plant. The technology was developed by the Clean Coal Technology Research Institute of East China University of Science and Technology. Unlike conventional synthesis gas technology, the new process does not use nickel catalysts. The technique is expected to be a driver in the growth of China’s natural gas chemistry and GTL sectors. China Chemical Reporter, 16 Jan 2006, 17 (2), 13
PATENTS Continuous modification of homogeneous catalyst during reaction The well-known Monsanto Process makes acetic acid by the carbonylation of methanol, catalysed by rhodium iodide. For various reasons it is sometimes necessary to modify the activity of the catalyst by adding a soluble iridium compound, or even replacing all the rhodium by iridium. The patent describes a method for making this replacement continuously, without interrupting the process. US 7,009,070, Acetex Chimie, Neuilly sur Seine, France, 7 Mar 2006
Oxidation of propane to acrylic acid Propylene is the usual industrial precursor of acrylic acid but propane would be preferred because it is cheaper. Mixed metal oxides based on molybdovanadates are known catalysts for this oxidation reaction. This patent teaches that additions of niobium, tellurium, and antimony are beneficial. US 7,009,075, Saudi Basic Industries Corp, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 7 Mar 2006
Direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide This invention is intended to produce a solution of hydrogen peroxide suitable for oxidising organic chemicals on an industrial scale. The mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is outside the explosive range. The catalyst is principally palladium, contained in a trickle-bed reactor. The solvent is typically methanol containing traces of bromide and sulfuric acid. US 7,005,528, Degussa AG, Düsseldorf, Germany, 28 Feb 2006
Metal-organic frameworks for the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide Porous materials based on metal organic frameworks have been known for only about 10 years. They are based on transition metals and polycarboxy compounds, eg zinc and terephthalic acid. Such a material can be used to support a catalyst used to make hydrogen peroxide from the elements (see previous abstract). US 7,008,607, BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, 7 Mar 2007
Direct oxidation of methane to acetic acid This is not a developed process but a feasibility study using a sealed system for a batch process. The oxidant is molecular oxygen, the catalyst is palladium sulfate promoted by copper, the solvent is concentrated or fuming sulfuric acid. Modest yields of acetic acid and methanol were obtained. Advantages are claimed over a similar process described in 2003. US 7,009,074, University of California, Oakland, CA, US and BP Chemicals Ltd, Middlesex, UK, 7 Mar 2006
Selective catalyst for hydrogenating acetylene Traces of acetylene in the ethylene used for making polyethylene are deleterious to the polymerisation process. The acetylene can be removed by hydrogenation over a selective catalyst such as a palladium/silver alloy promoted with potassium hexafluoroantimonate. US 7,009,085, Phillips Petroleum Co, Bartlesville, OK, US, 7 Mar 2006
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