Novomer, Inc.

Han Lee

Scott D Allen

Jay J Farmer

Sadesh H Sookraj

Bernard Duane Dombek

Olan Stanley Fruchey

Anna E Cherian

Nye Clinton

Donald L Bunning

Alexander Tseitlin

Ronald Valente

Robert E Lapointe

Geoff Coates

Thomas Widzinski

Kyle Sherry

John B Ruhl

Michael A Slowik

Herb Munsterman

The present disclosure provides novel methods of making aluminum complexes with utility for promoting epoxide carbonylation reactions. Methods include reacting neutral metal carbonyl compounds with alkylaluminum complexes, such as the alkylaluminum complexes represented by Formula I, where Q is a nitrogen atom and the four Q groups are part of a single porphyrin ligand and Ris selected from optionally substituted Caliphatic and optionally substituted aryl:

Synthesis of metal complexes and uses thereof

Provided are methods of producing polyamides from beta-lactones. The polyamides include bio-based polyamides that may be obtained, either in part or completely, from renewable sources.

Polyamides, and methods of producing thereof

Provided are methods of producing sulfur- and phosphorus-containing polymers from beta-lactones. The sulfur- and phosphorus-containing polymers include bio-based sulfur- and phosphorus-containing polymers that may be obtained from renewable sources.

Phosphorus-containing polymers, and methods of producing thereof

Provided herein are absorbent polymers produced from beta-propiolactone, and methods and systems of producing such polymers. The beta-propiolactone may be derived from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide. The absorbent polymer may be bio-based and/or biodegradable. The absorbent polymers may be used for diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products, as well as for agricultural applications.

Absorbent polymers, and methods and systems of producing thereof and uses thereof

The present invention provides nanofiltration membranes with reduced chemical reactivity that can be utilized in manufacturing processes where reactive feedstocks and/or products are utilized or produced. Methods of making and using the membranes are also provided.

Nanofiltration membranes and methods of use

The present disclosure provides novel methods of making aluminum complexes with utility for promoting epoxide carbonylation reactions. Methods include reacting neutral metal carbonyl compounds with alkylaluminum complexes. For example, a compound of formula I: is reacted with a neutral metal carbonyl compound (such as Q'M(CO)) to produce an aluminum-based carbonylation catalyst: 

Bio-based materials, e.g., epoxide starting material, a beta-lactone starting material and/or a beta-hydroxy amide starting material, may be used as feedstocks in processes for making and using acrylonitrile and acrylonitrile derivatives to produce, among other products, carbon fibers and carbon black.

Biobased carbon fibers and carbon black and methods of making the same

In one aspect, the present invention provides catalysts for the carbonylation of heterocycles. The inventive catalysts feature metal-ligand complexes having cationic functional groups tethered to the ligand, wherein the tethered cationic groups are associated with anionic metal carbonyl species. The invention also provides methods of using the inventive catalysts to affect the ring opening carbonylation of epoxides.

Catalytic carbonylation catalysts and methods

The present application provides a method for producing an beta-lactone product. The method includes the steps of: reacting an epoxide, a solvent with a carbonylation catalyst and carbon monoxide to produce a reaction stream comprising a beta-lactone then separating a portion of the beta-lactone in the reaction stream from the solvent and carbonylation catalyst to produce: i) a beta-lactone stream with the beta-lactone, and ii) a catalyst recycling stream including the carbonylation catalyst and the high boiling solvent; and adding the catalyst recycling stream to the feed stream.

Process for beta-lactone production

A method of making acid anhydrides from epoxide and carbon monoxide feedstocks is presented. In various aspects, the method includes steps of reacting the contents of a feed stream comprising an epoxide, a solvent, a carbonylation catalyst and carbon monoxide to produce a first carbonylation product stream comprising a beta-lactone, then reacting the contents of the first carbonylation product stream with additional carbon monoxide to produce a second carbonylation product stream comprising an acid anhydride, and separating at least a portion of the acid anhydride from the second carbonylation product stream to produce: i) an acid anhydride product stream comprising the separated portion of acid anhydride; and ii) a recycling stream comprising the carbonylation catalyst, and finally adding the recycling stream to the feed stream.

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Ithaca, NY, United States of America

Han Lee