Aurel Wolf

Carbon dioxide (CO2) as sustainable feedstock for polyurethane production

A dream comes true: tailor-made polyethercarbonate polyols are synthesised from propylene oxide and CO2. Molecular weight and functionality of these polyethercarbonate polyols are controlled by the use of an appropriate alcohol starter enabling innovative applications as a polymer building block. Interestingly, the properties of the polyethercarbonate polyols can be adjusted in a wide range by tuning CO2 content and architecture. The feasibility of using such tailored polyethercarbonate polyols in the production of polyurethanes is demonstrated as a prime example for a novel CO2 utilization with industrial potential.

Sustainable chlorine recycling via catalysed HCl oxidation: from fundamentals to implementation

The heterogeneously catalysed oxidation of HCl to Cl2 comprises a sustainable route to recover chlorine from HCl-containing streams in the chemical industry. Conceived by Henry Deacon in 1868, this process has been rejuvenated in the last decade due to increased chlorine demand and the growing excess of by-product HCl from chlorination processes. This reaction suffered from many sterile attempts in the past two centuries to obtain sufficiently active and durable catalysts. Intense research efforts have culminated in the recent industrial implementation of RuO2-based catalysts for HCl oxidation. This paper reviews the new generation of technologies for chlorine recycling under the umbrella of Catalysis Engineering, that is, tackling the microlevel (catalyst design), mesolevel (reactor design), and macrolevel (process design). Key steps in the development are emphasised, including lab-scale catalyst screening, advanced catalyst characterisation, mechanistic and kinetic studies over model and real systems, strategies for large-scale catalyst production, mini-plant tests with a technical catalyst, and reactor design. Future perspectives, challenges, and needs in the field of catalysed Cl2 production are discussed. Scenarios motivating the choice between catalysed HCl oxidation and HCl electrolysis or their integration for optimal chlorine recycling technology are put forward.

Formic acid: a future bridge between the power and chemical industries

In the future hydrogen economy, formic acid is considered an efficient hydrogen storage molecule and a new C1 building block for the chemical industry. Formic acid could be used as a sustainable carbon monoxide source. In the present work efficient catalysts for the decomposition of formic acid and its derivatives to carbon monoxide have been found. The proposed catalysts are widely available zeolites, making the process feasible for industrial scale applications. Thus, formic acid and its derivatives could be seen as liquid and storable versions of carbon monoxide, which could be directly used in the existing chemical value chain.

Methyl N‐Phenyl Carbamate Synthesis from Aniline and Methyl Formate: Carbon Recycling to Chemical Products

Methyl N-phenyl carbamate was synthesized from aniline by using methyl formate as a green and efficient carbonylating agent. High yields were obtained at milder reaction conditions compared to the conventional CO/CH3 OH route. Studies on the reaction sequence led to suggest an alternative and more efficient route to the carbamate via formanilide as intermediate.

Polymers from CO2—An Industrial Perspective

The chemical utilisation of carbon dioxide (CO2) as feedstock for the production of valuable polymers is a rewarding challenge. CO2 can either be used directly by copolymerization or indirectly by transformation of building blocks which were obtained from CO2 in a previous step. Both routes are discussed here. Moreover, the direct epoxide/CO2 copolymerization to yield polyether carbonates and the industrial efforts in the catalytic process development and scale-up at Bayer are highlighted and explained in detail.

Polymers from CO 2 —An Industrial Perspective

The chemical utilisation of carbon dioxide (CO2) as feedstock for the production of valuable polymers is a rewarding challenge. CO2 can either be used directly by copolymerization or indirectly by transformation of building blocks which were obtained from CO2 in a previous step. Both routes are discussed here. Moreover, the direct epoxide/CO2 copolymerization to yield polyether carbonates and the industrial efforts in the catalytic process development and scale-up at Bayer are highlighted and explained in detail.

Chapter 5 – Polymers from CO2—An Industrial Perspective

The chemical utilisation of carbon dioxide (CO2) as feedstock for the production of valuable polymers is a rewarding challenge. CO2 can either be used directly by copolymerization or indirectly by transformation of building blocks which were obtained from CO2 in a previous step. Both routes are discussed here. Moreover, the direct epoxide/CO2 copolymerization to yield polyether carbonates and the industrial efforts in the catalytic process development and scale-up at Bayer are highlighted and explained in detail.