Use of Raman spectroscopy to characterize hydrogenation reactions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/op0600355

Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize hydrogenation reactions involving single-step and two-step processes. The Raman technique was shown to be well-suited for endpoint determination as well as process optimization. In this investigation, hydrogenation of cyclohexene to produce cyclohexane was used as a model system. Conditions were varied to determine the effect of catalyst loading, solvent ratios, and reactant concentrations. Four catalysts were evaluated. The kinetic profiles of each reaction process were determined for each of the catalysts. In one case, a side reaction leading to an intermediate was observed for the hydrogenation reaction when run under hydrogen-starved conditions. After these cyclohexene hydrogenations were characterized, Raman spectroscopy was applied to the conversion of carvone to tetrahydrocarvone and the hydrogenation of 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate. Raman was used to characterize the kinetics of these reactions and was also used to prove that two-step hydrogenation mechanisms occurred in each. Raman was shown to be useful for process understanding, process optimization, process monitoring, and endpoint determination. Accomplishment of these goals leads to better process controls upon transfer of the procedure to a process environment. This ultimately leads, in turn, to the mitigation of risk of making out-of-specification product in manufacturing.