Development of 2,2′-Iminodiethanol Selective Production Process Using Shape-Selective Pentasil-Type Zeolite Catalyst

Abstract

Ethanolamines are produced on an industrial scale exclusively by the reaction of ethylene oxide with an aqueous solution of ammonia. The reaction is a typical consecutive reaction with three steps; therefore, it is difficult to produce 2,2 0 -iminodiethanol (the second product of the reaction) with high selectivity by conventional means. We developed a catalytic 2,2 0 -iminodiethanol selective production process using a pentasil-type zeolite catalyst modified with rare earth elements. This highly active catalyst was able to recognize the difference at molecular level between 2,2 0 -iminodiethanol and 2,2 0 ,2 00 -nitrilotriethanol; 2,2 0 ,2 00 -nitrilotriethanol was not formed in its micropore. We also succeeded in producing a binderless molded zeolite catalyst that does not form problematic impurities and that has a shape suitable for a fixed-bed reactor. The problem of activity deterioration was overcome by developing a regeneration process using high-temperature and high-density ammonia gas as a rinse medium.

Surface Modification of Synthetic Zeolites with Ca and HDTMA Compounds with Determination of Their Phytoavailability and Comparison of CEC and AEC Parameters

“…Zeolites are defined as tectosilicates, three-dimensional inorganic polymers. They are made up of SiO 4 tetrahedrons, some of which can be replaced by AlO 4 [1][2][3]. In the composition of the zeolites, in addition to the crystal network and ion exchange cations, there is also zeolite water, which is continuously released when the zeolites are heated to 400 • C, which does not change the shape of the zeolite crystals [4,5].…”