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Center for Enabling New Technologies Through Catalysis
A NSF Center for Chemical Innovation |
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Direct Formation of Aniline from Benzene
via Homogeneous Catalysis
Senior Investigators: Prof. Wes Borden (U. North Texas), Prof. John Hartwig (UI-UC), Prof. William Jones (U. Rochester)
Aniline is produced on a billion pound per year scale as a starting material for many chemicals
including dyes, polyurethane and other plastics, herbicides and specialty fibers. The current synthesis
of aniline relies on old, well- known chemistry that has been optimized. To further improve upon
the synthesis, new chemistry must be developed; our approach attempts to combine the efforts of
computational chemistry to direct the ‘wet’ chemistry towards the goal of an environmentally
friendly synthesis of aniline from readily available, inexpensive starting materials.
![]() We are working to develop a catalyst that will allow the environmentally friendly synthesis of aniline using the top reaction shown. The currently used industrial synthesis of aniline is shown in the bottom reaction and requires the use of expensive and dangerous materials and harsh conditions, and creates significant amounts of hazardous waste. |
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The Center for Enabling New Technologies Through Catalysis is a
National Science Foundation Center for Chemical Innovation
© 2009 Center for Enabling New Technologies Through Catalysis Contact: centcweb@u.washington.edu |