Synthesis of p-Xylene by Dehydroaromatization of 3-Methyleneheptane obtained from Ethylene



Invention Summary:

p-Xylene is mostly produced from cracking of naphtha, but there is a need for new and cost-effective methods for the production.  Indeed, conventional p-xylene synthesis requires toluene separation from refinery gasoline streams; performing a disproportionation reaction to yield a benzene fraction and a mixed xylene fraction; and finally an isomerization step over a zeolite catalyst which converts ortho- and meta- xylenes to the para isomer. p-Xylene is then separated in a costly crystallization step from the unconverted ortho and meta isomers which are recycled to the zeolite.
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Rutgers scientists have developed a new method of preparing p-xylene by dehydroaromatization of 3-methyleneheptane (i.e. 2-ethylhex-1-ene) or 3-methylheptane using pincer-ligated iridium catalysts under relatively mild conditions and with yields of up to 60%. 3-Methyleneheptane can be obtained from the dimerization of butenes.Butenes can in turn can be obtained as refinery products or from the dimerization of ethylene.

Market Applications:

  • Petrochemicals
  • Catalysts

Advantages:

  • Relatively mild reaction conditions
  • Good yields
  • Ethylene or butene refinery products as feedstock
  • The proposed method is more cost-effective than current methods

Intellectual Property & Development Status:

Patent pending. This product is available for licensing and/or research collaboration.

Patent Information:
Licensing Manager:
Brice Kessler
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
 
Business Development:
Eusebio Pires
Senior Manager, Technology Marketing & Business Development
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
ep620@research.rutgers.edu
Keywords:
Catalysts
Chemical and petrochemical industry
Polymers & Composites