Catalysis with Polymeric Resins
CHEMRA catalyst resins are used in many applications in the chemical and petrochemical industries to produce
- MTBE or ETBE
- MIBK
- various phenol alkylates
- bisphenol-A
- some acrylic and fatty acid esters
- isopropyl alcohol (IPA)
Typical Catalytic Reactions
Ion exchange resins are widely used as heterogeneous catalysts. They are often used to replace homogenous catalysts such as sulfuric acid or Lewis acids. Resin catalysts are applied since they
- can be easily separated from the solution and allow an easier recovery of the product
- reduce manufacturing cost
- can be reused many times
- are more selective compared to homogeneous catalysts generating less byproducts
- are much less corrosive
- easier to handle
- ecologically friendly, low CO2 footprint
Both, micro- (gel) and macroporous types of resin catalysts are used, depending on the size of molecule to be catalyzed and the polarity of the media.
Most of the catalytic reactions with polymeric catalysts are carried out with strongly acid resin catalysts. In some reactions such as phenol alkylation water must not be present. TREVERLYST catalysts can be provided in the dry form.
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Catalytic reactions
Olefin reactions | with Water | Others |
|---|---|---|
Isomerisation | Transetherification | |
Polymerisation | Esterification of alcohols and phenol | Transetherification |
Aromatic Alkylation | Decomposition of hydroperoxydes | |
Acrylation | Condensation of aldehydes, acetone and phenol | Von Pechman reaction |
Mercaptan addition | Condensation | Lactone formation |
Aldol condensation | Dimerization and polymerisation of alcohols | Knoevenagel reaction |
Hydration | Cyanoethylation | Fries rearrangement |
Dehydration |
