IoLacTec:
INNOVATIVE METHOD FOR ACIDIC IONIC LIQUIDS MEDIATED LACTAMS PRODUCTION
LEADER PROGRAMME
The aim of the project is to design and optimize a new technology for the production of lactams, including ε-caprolactam through Beckmann rearrangement of oximes in the presence of ionic liquid as catalyst and solvent.
Did you Know?
- Lactams, including ε-caprolactam are fine chemical intermediates in the polyamides production (nylon 6, 11, 12) which are key component in the automotive, electrical, textile and medical industry.
- The classical process is catalyzed with oleum and requires neutralization of the reaction mixture with ammonia what generates a by-product: ammonium sulphate.
- The biggest producer of ε-caprolctam in Poland is Grupa Azoty, producing 170 000 tons of ε-caprolactam per year.
Our goal
The technology will be based on the one pot, rearrangement of oximes to lactams in the presence of ionic liquid. This method does not require use of ammonia to isolate the product thus does not generate the ammonium sulphate as a waste. The product will be isolated by extraction with an organic solvent. Within the project the large number of oximes will be investigated what will widen the group of products produced by this method. Based on this, the results of the project will cover the process innovation novelty
The technology aims to possess the following features:
- Lack of the neutralization step = lack of the ammonium sulphate as a by-product
- High yield and selectivity of the product
- Short reaction time
- Easy isolation of the product
- Possible recovery of the catalyst
Four steps will be optimized:
01
Preparation of the catalyst
02
Synthesis of lactams
03
Isolation of products and catalyst
04
Purification of the products
Next, The development of a complete technological route for lactams synthesis on example of ε-caprolactam will be performed.
Our team
Alina Brzęczek-Szafran
Head of the project
Anna Kolanowska
Researcher
Karol Erfurt
Researcher
Tomasz Piotrowski
Researcher
Natalia Serwata
Research Assistant
Justyna Więcławik
Research Assistant
Przemysław Więcek
Research Assistant
Anna Chrobok
Advisory Board
If you are interested in our project, please contact dr Alina Brzeczek-Szafran alina.brzeczek-szafran@polsl.pl
Duration: 1 May 2019 – 30 April 2022
The project is financed by The National Centre for Research and Development under the LIDER Programme.
LIDER/24/0100/L-9/17/NCBR/2018
