Selection of deep eutectic solvents for supported liquid membrane extraction of chiral amines

Details

Supervisors

Luis Alconero, Patricia

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil en chimie et science des matériaux, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Chiral amines play an important role in the pharmaceutical domain. However, their synthesis methods continue to pose significant challenges, resulting in costly and non-environmentally friendly processes or unfavorable equilibria. This thesis introduces a technique that addresses these challenges by employing membrane extraction for the in-situ removal of target compounds, specifically focusing on 1-phenylethylamine (MBA) and 1-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine (MPPA) from the donor amine isopropylamine (IPA). The core of this thesis revolves around the exploration and characterization of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) that were pre-selected based on their selectivity towards the target amines over the donor amine, as determined through COSMO-RS simulations. The primary properties under scrutiny encompass selectivity, hydrogen bond acceptor and donor moments, viscosity, phase miscibility, and membrane stability. Out of forty-six mixtures evaluated, three exhibited the desired attributes crucial for the success of the supported liquid membrane (SLM) process, ensuring a lack of diffusion during experimentation. These three promising mixtures consist of trioctylphosphine oxide in combination with octanoic acid, menthol and thymol. Among these mixtures, the trioctylphosphine oxide-thymol combination exhibited the highest selectivity value towards the targeted amines and stability duringt the membrane extraction process.