Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
13:09
Utilization of Stop-flow Micro-tubing Reactors for the Development of Organic Transformations
Published on: January 4, 2018
A microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework for highly selective C2H2/C2H4 separation at ambient temperature
Yabing He1, Shengchang Xiang, Banglin Chen
1Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249-0698, USA.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|August 26, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed a novel microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework. This material demonstrates highly selective separation of acetylene and ethylene at room temperature.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Separation Science
Background:
- Selective adsorption is crucial for separating valuable chemical compounds.
- Existing materials often lack the required selectivity or stability for industrial applications.
- Acetylene (C2H2) and ethylene (C2H4) separation is a key industrial process with significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the first microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) with permanent porosity.
- To investigate the material's capability for highly selective adsorptive separation of C2H2 and C2H4.
- To demonstrate efficient gas separation at ambient temperature.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a novel microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework.
- Characterization of the framework's porosity and structural stability.
- Gas adsorption and breakthrough experiments to evaluate separation performance.
Main Results:
- The established HOF exhibits permanent porosity.
- Extraordinarily high selectivity for acetylene (C2H2) over ethylene (C2H4) was achieved.
- Effective separation was demonstrated at ambient temperature, indicating practical applicability.
Conclusions:
- The developed HOF represents a significant advancement in selective adsorption materials.
- This material offers a promising solution for efficient and cost-effective C2H2/C2H4 separation.
- The findings pave the way for new applications of HOFs in gas separation technologies.
Related Concept Videos
02:34Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
The rate of acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes depends on the alkene's structure, as the presence of alkyl substituents at the double bond can significantly influence the rate.
02:13Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called catalytic hydrogenation.
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
01:20Aldehydes and Ketones with Water: Hydrate Formation
An oxygen-based nucleophile, like water, can undergo addition reactions with aldehydes and ketones. The reaction leads to the formation of hydrates, also referred to as 1,1-diols or geminal diols.
The formation of hydrates is a reversible reaction. Hydrate formation is influenced by steric and electronic factors accompanying the alkyl substituents on the carbonyl group: The rate of hydrate formation increases with a decrease in the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbonyl carbon. Hence,...
The formation of hydrates is a reversible reaction. Hydrate formation is influenced by steric and electronic factors accompanying the alkyl substituents on the carbonyl group: The rate of hydrate formation increases with a decrease in the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbonyl carbon. Hence,...
01:33Carboxylic Acids to Methylesters: Alkylation using Diazomethane
Carboxylic acids react with diazomethane in an ether solvent via alkylation at the carboxylate oxygen atom to give methyl esters of the corresponding acid with excellent yields.
01:28Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Unlike the easy catalytic hydrogenation of an alkene double bond, hydrogenation of a benzene double bond under similar reaction conditions does not take place easily. For example, in the reduction of stilbene, the benzene ring remains unaffected while the alkene bond gets reduced. Hydrogenation of an alkene double bond is exothermic and a favorable process. In contrast, to hydrogenate the first unsaturated bond of benzene, an energy input is needed; that is, the process is endothermic. This is...
01:27Benzene to Phenol via Cumene: Hock Process
The synthesis of phenol from benzene via cumene and cumene hydroperoxide is called the Hock process. First, a Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction of benzene with propene gives cumene. Then cumene forms cumene hydroperoxide via a radical chain reaction. In the chain initiation step, the benzylic hydrogen is abstracted to give a benzylic radical. In the chain propagation step, the benzylic radical reacts with an oxygen diradical to form a cumene hydroperoxide radical. The cumene hydroperoxide...