Chinese researchers have developed a novel triple-metal, quadruple relay catalysis system to realize the conversion of linear alkanes to linear alcohols, according to a local research institute.

As bulk chemicals, linear alcohols have a wide application in industry. For example, they are important raw materials for preparation of plasticizers and surfactants. Currently, they are mainly prepared from α-olefins in industrial. It is attractive to synthesize linear alcohols directly from alkanes, since they are far more abundant and cheaper than olefins.

This one-pot multicatalysis system is composed of Ir-catalyzed alkane dehydrogenation, Rh-catalyzed olefin isomerization and hydroformylation, and Ru-catalyzed aldehyde hydrogenation. Linear alkanes could successfully convert to the corresponding linear alcohols with high yields and selectivity. In addition, this system is further applied to synthesis of diols from simple α-olefins.

This new method provides a new way to convert abundant and cheap alkanes to value-added linear alcohols, according to Huang Zheng, professor of the research team from Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The research findings have been published in the journal Science Advances, 6, eabc6688 (2020).

Huang Zheng Ph.D. Professor

Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Ling Ling Road 345 Shanghai 200032 China

Tel: 0086-21-54925522

Email: huangzh@sioc.ac.cn