PRODUCTION OF ACETIC ACID AND HYDROGEN IN AN AQUEOUS MEDIUM FROM ETHANOL AND ACETALDEHYDE VIA AN ORGANIC/INORGANIC CATALYST

• US 20190315672A1
• Filed: 05/15/2017
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies BV (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies BV (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: Vidjayacoumar, Balamurugan, Albahily, Khalid, Gambarotta, Sandro, Peneau, Virginie, Alderman, Nicholas P.
• Application Number:
  US16/301,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20190315672A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2231/763 of -CH-XH (X= O, NH/N, S) to -C=X or -CX triple bond species
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2531/821 Ruthenium
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 31/2295 Cyclic compounds, e.g. cyclopentadienyls
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0227 containing a catalytic reforming step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1064 Platinum group metal catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1211 Organic compounds or organic mixtures used in the process for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1229 Ethanol
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/326 characterised by the catalyst
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 51/16 by oxidation C07C51/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 53/08 Acetic acid pyroligneous acid C10C; preparation of vinegar C12J

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and systems of producing acetic acid and hydrogen from a two carbon (C₂) alcohol source, the method comprising (a) obtaining a homogeneous aqueous solution comprising a C₂ alcohol source and an organoruthenium (II) halide catalyst; and (b) subjecting the homogeneous aqueous solution to conditions suitable to produce a product stream comprising acetic acid and hydrogen.

Claims

1. A method of producing acetic acid and hydrogen from a two carbon (C₂) alcohol source, the method comprising:

(a) obtaining a homogeneous aqueous solution comprising water, a solvent having a boiling point great than 70°

C., a C₂ alcohol source and a organoruthenium (II) halide dimer catalyst; and

(b) reacting the homogeneous aqueous solution at a temperature of 30°

C. to 100°

C. to produce a product stream comprising acetic acid and hydrogen.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the C₂ alcohol source is ethanol, hydrated acetaldehyde, or a mixture thereof.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the C₂ alcohol source is ethanol.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the C₂ alcohol source is hydrated acetaldehyde.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the hydrated acetaldehyde source is acetaldehyde.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the organoruthenium (II) halide catalyst comprises an aromatic compound, a phenyl group or a substituted phenyl group.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the organoruthenium (II) halide catalyst is benzeneruthenium(II) chloride dimer, or dichloro(p-cymene)ruthenium dimer, or a mixture thereof.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the organoruthenium (II) halide dimer catalyst is benzeneruthenium(II) chloride dimer.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the organoruthenium (II) halide dimer catalyst is dichloro(p-cymene)ruthenium dimer.

10. The method claim 1, wherein the reaction temperature is 50°

C. to 80°

C., or 65 to 75°

C.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent is acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, dimethoxyethane, pyridine or mixtures thereof.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent is acetonitrile.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising incrementally adding additional amounts of the C₂ alcohol source to the aqueous homogeneous solution.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst has a turnover rate of 20 to 50, 25 to 40, or 28.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of C₂ alcohol source to organoruthenium (II) halide catalyst is 40 to 1500.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution comprises potable water, purified water, tap water, or mixtures thereof.

11. (canceled)

18. A composition comprising a homogeneous aqueous solution comprising a C₂ alcohol source, an organoruthenium (II) halide catalyst, acetic acid, and hydrogen.

19-20. -20. (canceled)