Phosphine Oxide Extractants: Enhancing Sustainability in Biobased Chemicals

In the realm of biorefinery and the broader biobased chemical industry, there's a notable shift towards sustainable practices, marked by the exploration of alternative feedstocks derived from renewable sources. This departure from traditional petrochemicals is catalyzing a paradigm shift towards a more environmentally conscious approach, echoing the principles of the circular economy.

Central to this transition is the utilization of liquid-liquid extraction technology within biorefineries. This technology plays a pivotal role in the separation and valorization of biomass components into marketable biobased products and bioenergy.¹ Early studies dating back to the 1970s examined the extraction of carboxylic acids from aqueous streams, a practice now entrenched in certain industrial processes such as pulp and paper production.^{2, 3} More contemporary efforts have focused on leveraging CYTOP® phosphine oxide extractants to isolate small molecule organics from fermentation streams, thereby enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the process.^{4, 5}

The use of CYTOP® phosphine oxide extractants presents a compelling proposition. These extractants facilitate the separation of small organic molecules—including short-chain volatile fatty acids, alcohols, and phenols—from dilute aqueous streams while boasting a reduced carbon footprint compared to alternative, low-boiling-point extractants. Specifically, CYTOP® 502 (Strem Catalog 97-6660) and CYTOP® 503 (Strem Catalog 97-1337), commercial-scale tertiary phosphine oxides, stand out for their versatility. Beyond extraction, they find application as solvents, ligands, and catalysts, contributing to a spectrum of processes within the chemical industry. CYTOP® 503 (Strem Catalog 97-6660), designed as a liquid at room temperature, represents a tailored solution, addressing specific requirements within the sphere of biobased chemical processing.

For further information on specialty phosphorus products and their applications, interested parties are encouraged to explore the offerings available through the Strem Catalog or visit the SYENSQO website.

References:

1. “The Role of Bioenergy in the Emerging Bioeconomy”, Elsevier, 2019.
2. J. Chem. Eng. Data, 1978, 23, 144-148.
3. US Patent 8,785,688, July 2014.
4. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 2020, 160, 107641.
5. Bioorg. & Med. Green Chem., 2018, 20, 1791.

Featured Products

97-6660 Trioctylphosphine oxide, min. 90% TOPO [CYTOP® 502]

97-1337 Tri-n-hexylphosphine oxide/tri-n-octylphosphine oxide, min. 92% [mixture R3P(O), R2R'P(O), RR'2P(O), R'3P(O)] [CYTOP® 503]