Developing a chloride-free route to epoxy resins (LPC.7035)

Project nummer: lpc7035

Omschrijving van het onderzoek

Epoxy resins are used in large quantities in the formulation of glues, paints and coatings. The synthesis of epoxy resins (bisphenol-A-glycidyl ethers), as carried out in a conventional process starts from bisphenol-A. In the conventional process bisphenol-A is converted with epichlorohydrin to a 'chlorohydrin ether', which subsequently is dehydrochlorinated with caustic to form the epoxide. This reaction sequence produces stoichiometric amounts of salt. We have designed several alternative routes to form epoxy resins and a thorough investigation is proposed into these routes with the ultimate long-term goal to have a full scientific assessment of the possibilities to have available a technically and commercially viable chloride-free (or low-chloride) route to epoxy resins to be running in 2010. In all alternative routes to form epoxy resins the crucial step is formed by the catalytic epoxidation of allyl functions. Low-chloride routes comprise the catalytic epoxidation of allyl chloride to form "clean" epichlorohydrin (ECH), or the epoxidation of allyl acetate to form glycidol acetate (GA). Chloride-free routes involve catalytic formation of the allyl ether of bisphenol-A and subsequent epoxidation of this diallyl ether of bisphenol-A. We propose:
Research into catalytic epoxidation of electron poor olefins, such as allyl chloride, allyl acetate and allyl ethers, to be carried out by a postdoctoral researcher. The results of this research may even be implemented in the existing process, yielding a "low"-chloride process, in which the amount of halide salts produced as by-products is reduced by 50%.
Research into catalytic allyl ether formation, to be carried out by a graduate student. Allyl ethers of phenolic alcohols potentially constitute important intermediates for epoxy resins. In combination with a catalytic epoxidation reaction this should eventually lead to a "chloride-free" process, the ultimate goal of our research proposal.

Gebruikers

Two companies are involved in this project.

Projectleider

Dr. E. Bouwman

Universiteit Leiden
Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen
Leids Instituut Chemisch Onderzoek

Postbus 9502
2300 RA Leiden

Status van het project

Gestart	: 01-12-2005
Einddatum	: 01-12-2008

Trefwoorden

Epoxyharsen, Homogene katalyse, Isomerisatie.

Print | Over deze site |

Sitemap | Voorbehoud | Gewijzigd 18-9-2006