Seeking Novel Techniques, Processes and Materials for Catalysis and Industrial Chemistry

A global chemicals company which annually invests hundreds of millions of dollars in science and technology is seeking Technologies, Research Projects, Spin‑Out Companies, and Centres‑of‑Excellence in the field of Industrial Chemistry and catalysis. Several research interests are sought by the client and are outlined below.

Research Interests

1) Ethylene dehydrogenative dimerization to butadiene: Methods of improving the rate and selectivity with which ethylene can be converted to butadiene by dehydrogenative dimerization, to develop the technology to economically feasibility to industrial exploitation. 

2) Selective dihydroxylation of olefins: In the same way that simple Pd complexes can be used to convert higher olefins to 1,2 diols using air as oxidant, our client is interested in methods of applying this to ethylene and propylene to produce glycols at a level that is suitable for industrial exploitation. 

3) Oxidative cleavage of olefins to aldehydes: Methods of using simple Pd complexes to cleave olefins to aldehydes using air as an oxidant efficiently enough for industrial exploitation. 

4) Ethylene to 1-butene: Materials suitable for the development of a process to convert ethylene to 1-butene with high selectivity.

5) Selective dimerization of butenes: Methods of selectively converting butenes to octenes and methylheptenes by developing dimerization technology to improve butene‑C8 olefins dimerization efficiency and decrease branching levels. 

Extra information on the scope of these research interests is provided in the Supplementary Information Document (link).

Out of Scope

• Polymerisation or Copolymerisation
• Oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes, ketones or acids
• Amine synthesis
• Epoxide production using anything other than oxygen or air as raw material (in-situ formation of intermediates such nitrous oxide and peroxides may be acceptable).

Jurisdictions of Interest

Our client is open to opportunities worldwide. 

Collaboration and Submission Information

Our client is open to a range of collaboration opportunities, with the most appropriate outcome being decided on a case by case basis. Example outcomes include licensing or purchasing IP or technology, project/PhD funding, and research collaborations. Proposals that include collaborations or partnerships with third parties, part government funding, or as part of consortia are particularly welcome.