Oxidation Process for Aromatic Compound
- Summary
- Oxidation is the core technology to convert petrochemical based materials to commodity chemicals of higher oxidation state. However, oxidation reactions present some of the greatest challenges to the environment. Many of the industrial oxidation processes involve heavy metals or corrosive reagents, and are high in energy consumption. For example, terephthalic acids is one of the top 50 chemicals used in manufacturing industries with an annual production of 40 million metric tones, which is also relied on oxidation reactions. The present invention aims to minimize the negative impacts on the environment during chemical productions by avoiding the use of toxic reagents, eliminating or even abandon the use of volatile organic solvents while maximizing energy efficiency at the same time. Green Oxidation protocol has been established, which is comparable to existing technologies adopted in the industries. One good example, the oxidation of para-xylene into terephthalic acid in water medium without the use of heavy metal reagents has been demonstrated.
- Technology Benefits
- Unique, simple and comparable to industrial process, Environmental friendly- No heavy metal and solvent, better than existing technologies
- Technology Application
- Manufacture intermediate, oxidation products, which are essential for the production of high-value fine chemicals, agrochemicals, packaging materials, soft drink bottles and synthetic fibres for textile and pharmaceuticals
- Detailed Technology Description
- Methylene substituted aromatic compounds can be oxidized using t-butyl hydroperoxide and microwave radiation. In particular, xylenes give primarily phthalic acids, while toluene gives benzoic acid. Other methylene substituted aromatic compounds where the methylene group is not part of a methyl group give ketones, rather than acids. For example, fluorene gives fluorenone. The process avoids the need for the presence of metals such as in catalysts or in oxidizing agents, and can be carried out using water rather than an organic solvent. Thus the process can conform with the ideals of green chemistry.
- Supplementary Information
- Patent Number: US7488843B1
Application Number: US2007930578A
Inventor: Lee, Albert Wai Ming | He, Hao
Priority Date: 31 Oct 2007
Priority Number: US7488843B1
Application Date: 31 Oct 2007
Publication Date: 10 Feb 2009
IPC Current: C07C005116
US Class: 562407 | 562408 | 562409
Assignee Applicant: Hong Kong Baptist University
Title: Oxidation process for aromatic compound
Usefulness: Oxidation process for aromatic compound
Summary: For oxidation of a methyl or methylene substituted aromatic compound (claimed).
Novelty: Oxidation of aromatic compound involves oxidizing methyl or methylene substituted aromatic compound using t-butyl hydroperoxide and microwave radiation
- Industry
- Chemical/Material
- Sub Category
- Chemical/Material Application
- Application Date
- 2007.10.31
- Application No.
- US 11/930,578
- Others
- Granted
- ID No.
- C07/LA/Oxid/US01
- Country/Region
- Hong Kong
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