Poly(oxymethylene) dimethyl ether synthesis – a combined chemical equilibrium investigation towards an increasingly efficient and potentially sustainable synthetic route

Abstract

Poly(oxymethylene) dimethyl ethers (denoted as OME) are potential sustainable energy carriers and platform chemicals.

Towards a Sustainable Synthesis of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ether by Homogeneous Catalysis and Uptake of Molecular Formaldehyde

“…Oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME n ; CH 3 (-OCH 2 -) n O-CH 3 ,n= [3][4][5] are anovel class of sustainable synthetic fuels,w hich are of increasing interest due to their soot-free combustion. Herein an ovel anhydrous OME n synthesis route is presented.…”

“…[1] In addition, OME n are discussed as solvents or for the absorption of CO 2 . [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] However,t he synthesis of dry TRI is complex and very energy demanding. On the other hand, molecules are needed, which contain methoxy groups for the chain termination (e.g.,m ethanol, dimethoxymethane,d imethyl ether).…”

“…7-10 MJ kg À1 ;t his constitutes 1/3 to 1/2 of the lower heating value of OME 1-6 of ca. According to our previously published thermodynamic evaluation, [5,14] this represents energetically the most efficient route to OME n .Overall, starting from green CO 2 /H 2 ,i tf ollows the path CH 3 OH, DME, followed by the reaction with monomeric FA to give the desired liquids in an anhydrous route with 22 %l ess H 2 Table 1: Thermodynamic data for the OME n formation starting with CO 2 and H 2 .D ata extracted from [14]. To counteract these disadvantages,w es et out to evolve as ustainable and anhydrous synthesis route starting from CO 2 and H 2 .I n previous work, we established highly reliable thermodynamic data for the OME n formation in gas and condensed phase ( Table 1).…”

“…[5] Herein we demonstrate such an OME n synthesis based on OME 1 and FA [Eq. [5] Herein we demonstrate such an OME n synthesis based on OME 1 and FA [Eq.…”

“…

Oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME n ; CH 3 (-OCH 2 -) n O-CH 3 ,n= 3-5) are anovel class of sustainable synthetic fuels,w hich are of increasing interest due to their soot-free combustion. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] However,t he synthesis of dry TRI is complex and very energy demanding.In addition, the presence of water in OME n syntheses initiates the formation of large amounts of side-products [13] and OME n conversion decreases with increasing water content. Catalyzed by trimethyloxonium salts, dimethoxymethane takes up monomeric gaseous formaldehyde instantaneously and forms high purity OME n at temperatures of 25-30 8 8C.

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