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Development of a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Hydroformylation in Supercritical CO2

EPA Grant Number: R828206
Title: Development of a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Hydroformylation in Supercritical CO2
Investigators: Abraham, Martin A. , Davies, Julian A. , Mason, Mark R.
Institution: University of Toledo
EPA Project Officer: Karn, Barbara
Project Period: July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2003 (Extended to June 30, 2004)
Project Amount: $315,000
RFA: Technology for a Sustainable Environment (1999)
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Description:

Many industrially important chemical syntheses are carried out commercially in liquid phase, organic solvents and through the use of homogeneous catalysts. The large-scale use of liquid organic solvents has substantial environmental implications, providing the current impetus for the development of alternative, environmentally benign, reaction solvents. Recovery of homogeneous catalysts also may involve the use of organic solvents and those may be eliminated completely if heterogeneous catalysts are used.

Approach:

This proposal seeks to eliminate potentially hazardous organic solvents through two novel developments:

1. Perform the target reaction in the benign reaction solvent supercritical CO2, and

2. Develop a heterogeneous catalyst for the target reaction.

The use of CO2 as a reaction solvent offers optimal environmental performance because CO2 does not deplete the ozone layer, does not contribute to ground-level smog, and will not contribute to global warming. The use of CO2 by-product from existing commercial and natural sources will ensure that no net increase in global CO2 results from the use of this technology.

One limitation of heterogeneous catalysis has been the inability to control selectivity. We believe, however, that modification of the catalyst and the support for optimization with scCO2 can allow the development of active and selective catalysts for the hydroformylation reaction. Use of supported metal-phosphine ligands will allow control of selectivity, similar to that seen in liquid-phase catalysis. Modification of the catalyst support, and the use of shape-selective catalysts with uniform molecular-size pores, provides further opportunity to achieve selectivity control.

Expected Results:

The work completed through this research will demonstrate the production of commercially important chemical intermediates without the use of organic solvents. The proposed process considers an environmentally benign synthesis that can be adapted for the production of many important chemicals. These process modifications decrease the potential for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission in large-scale production processes, providing one means for the chemical industry to be responsive to pollution prevention requirements.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 10 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 10 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

Green chemistry, sustainable development, environmental chemistry, chemical reaction engineering, CO2 utilization, , Air, Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Chemical Engineering, climate change, Environmental Chemistry, Economics and Business, tropospheric ozone, atmospheric pollutant loads, chemical reaction systems, supercritical carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide, cleaner production, CO2 - based systems, environmentally-friendly chemical synthesis, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), liquid organic solvents, air quality, ambient air, green chemistry, sustainable development, alternative solvents, alternative chemical synthesis, green process systems, environmentally benign solvents, homogeneous catalysis, hydroformation reaction, environmentally benign catalysts, climate variability, source reduction, green house gas concentrations, ambient air pollution, VOCs, solvent substitute, global warming, pollution prevention

Progress and Final Reports:
Final Report

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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