Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Hydroquinone Selective Catalyst and a Method for Preparation Thereof
Categories for this Invention
Technology: Production of Hydroquinone
by Oxidation of Phenol
Category: Chemistry & Chemical Analysis
Industry: Catalysts, Advanced material
Application: Photographic developer
Market: The global market size is expected to reach US$26.13 billion in 2024 and the latest industry analysis forecasts the market to expand at 4.8% CAGR and reach US$ 41.77 billion by 2034 end
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Problem Statement
- Hydroquinone is used in photographic development, polymerization inhibitors, and skin care products.
- High demand for catalysts for selective oxidative dehydrogenation leads to higher conversion rates.
- Iron phosphate (FeP04) is a popular catalyst for selective oxidative dehydrogenation and partial oxidation reactions.
- However, attempts to synthesize ordered mesoporous iron phosphate using cationic and anionic surfactants have been limited.
- Hydroquinone production involves selective hydroxylation of phenol using H2O2.
- The need for a catalyst with improved phenol conversion, hydroquinone production method, and enhanced selectivity is still significant.
Technology
Method for preparing mesoporous FeP04
- Mix a first solution containing iron (Ill) nitrate nonahydrate and a second solution containing anhydrous diammonium hydrogen phosphate to obtain a first precipitate
- Suspend the precipitate in water and add HF to form a third solution
- Mix third solution with a predetermined amount of 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in water to obtain fourth solution
- Stir the obtained fourth solution and heat it at a temperature of 50-70°C for a predetermined time period
- Add tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) solution to the fourth solution to obtain a second precipitate
- Remove surfactants and purify the second precipitate
- Calcine the purified second precipitate at a temperature in the range of 250-300°C to obtain mesoporous FeP04
Method of preparing hydroquinone from oxidation of phenol
- Add phenol to a suspension of FeP04 in catalyst in glacial acetic acid
- Heat the reaction mixture
- Add oxidant to the reaction mixture to initiate oxidation of phenol on the surface of mesoporous FeP04
- Allow the reaction to continue for a predetermined time period thereby forming hydroquinone in the reaction mixture
Key Features / Value Proposition
- Mesoporous Iron Phosphate (Mip) Catalyst for Parahydroxylation of Phenol
Pore Volume
- Range of 0.30-0.48 cm3 g-1,
Surface Area
- Range of 110-130 m2g-1,
Pore Size Distribution (PSD)
- Range of 2.9-3.6 nm
Oxidant
- H202.
Weight Ratio Of The Oxidant Over Phenol
- Range 2:1 to 1:2.
Conversion Percentage Of Phenol in the Reaction
- Range 10-40%.
- The prepared catalyst exhibited a significant
- Phenol conversion of 24.9%
- towards hydroxylation of phenol
- hydroquinone (78.2%)selectively.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact For Licensing
sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in
ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in
Research Lab
Prof. Selvam P
Department of Chemistry
Intellectual Property
IITM IDF Ref.1579
Patent No: IN 341547
Technology Readiness Level
TRL- 3
Experimental Proof of concept;