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Production of 'mint-scent'

March 03, 2000

In the industry, many tons of alcohol are used annually, as a starting point for the synthesis of many substances. Alcohol first has to be oxidised, after which aromas such as mint or cinnamon, or substances needed for the production of nylon are produced. Until now heavy metals such as chrome-oxide were used in the oxidation process. Ten Brink: "Because every molecule of alcohol needs one molecule of the heavy metal, very large amounts of environmentally unfriendly substances are used." As a solvent for the reaction, substances containing chlorine are often used. Heavy metals in combination with chlorine, not a particularly environmentally friendly solution. "Our method uses oxygen as the oxidiser, and water as the solvent," says Ten Brink, "so simple and obvious. For a long time it was thought that this combination was not possible, but we simply started trying, even more so because water is a product of the oxidation reaction of alcohol. In this specific case it seems that people have often blindly built on the publications and works of others, without actually asking themselves just why they are doing so."

Another advantage of this method is that product and waste are clearly separated at the end of the process. The solvent and the desired product form two separate layers and the product can simply be extracted. This saves time and money, because in the previous processes, the layers were not distinctly separated and complicated distillation procedures were required. So this method is not only more environmentally friendly, but faster and cheaper. "Ten Brink: "Exciting to see that existing literature and the established order, have to be critically reviewed time after time."

Delft University of Technology

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