InPROMPT "Integrated Chemical Processes in Liquid Multiphase Systems" has pursued the long-term objective of researching novel phase systems for homogeneously catalyzed, multiphase production processes in the sense of green chemistry, as well as developing and demonstrating efficient processes. We investigate the chemical and physical fundamentals of different homogeneously catalyzed reactions (hydroformylation, methoxycarbonylation, hydroaminomethylation) considering screening of phase systems and catalysts, reaction kinetics and phase behavior.

During the first research period the hydroformylation of 1-dodecene in surfactant modified multiphase systems were investigated. The reaction is performed by a highly active and selective (aldehyde linearity of 99.9%) catalyst system consisting of Rh(acac)(CO)₂ and the bidentate ligand SulfoXantPhos. In the second funding period the concepts were successfully transferred to further catalytic reactions (methoxycarbonylation and hydroxycarbonylation of 1-dodecene). It was shown that the use of a simple biphasic system is adequate for the methoxycarbonylation of 1-dodecene.  On the other hand, the use of surfactant modified systems are necessary for the hydroxycarbonylation of 1‑dodecene.

Recently, we got a third funding period, wherein the reductive amination of long chain aldehydes with diethyl amine to fatty amines is investigated. The focus is set on kinetic and parameter studies of this reaction to develop a combined reaction of hydroformylation and reductive amination, also called hydroaminomethylation as a tandem reaction. First studies showed the feasibility of this tandem reaction.

Technische Universität Berlin
Technische Universität Dortmund
Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik komplexer technischer Systeme Magdeburg
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Ariane Weber
Johannes Wunderlich
Bachir Bibouche (ehem.)
Marcel Schmidt (ehem.)

Full list of publications on website.