The Need

Heterogeneous hydrogenation reactions are important industrial reactions, specifically the semi hydrogenation of triple C bonds to double C bonds. The standard catalyst, known as a Lindlar catalyst, that is used for this reaction is palladium nanoparticles on a CaCO₃ substrate, poisoned with lead to control the kinetics of the reaction and stop complete hydrogenation. Palladium is a rare earth element making the Lindlar catalyst expensive. A more economical solution would be to design a catalyst that uses more common elements. Breakthroughs in layered intermetallic zintl phase crystals (BaGa2 and SrGa2) has led to the ability to run hydrogenation reactions at high temperature and pressures (300C and 10-100 Bar).

The Technology

Dr. Josh Goldberger and has colleagues at The Ohio State University have developed a novel way to induce hydrogenation in layered intermetallic zintl phase crystals (BaGa₂ and SrGa₂) at atmospheric pressure and temperatures below 50 C. The kinetics translate to all intermetallic zintl phase crystals, including SrAl₂, SrGa₂, BaGa₂, CaAlSi, SrAlGe, SrGaGe, BaGaSi, BaGaGe, BaGaSn, and BaInGe. These catalysts could be most effectively used in removal of acetylene from ethylene feedstocks.

Commercial Applications

• Selective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes
• Monohydrogenation of polyolefins
• Hydrogenation of azides to amines

Benefits/Advantages

• Less expensive than current gold standard Lindlar catalyst
• Economical reaction parameters (atmospheric pressure and low temperature)