2-Propyl Heptanol
2-Propyl Heptanol (2-PH) is the precursor to Di-propylheptyl- The LP OxoSM Process is the Dow/JM rhodium based low pressure
phthalate (DPHP): a similar component to Di-ethylhexyl- hydroformylation process which is primarily used to convert
phthalate (DEHP) and Di-octyl-phtalate (DOP) which is made propylene and synthesis gas to butyraldehydes which are then
from 2-Ethyl Hexanol (2-EH). reacted to form 2-EH and/or butanols. For the production of
2-PH, the LP OxoSM Process converts C4 olefins with syngas
Since the 1990’s, the use of higher carbon chain plasticisers to produce mixed C5 aldehydes which are further reacted by
has increased in Europe and North America with legislation aldolisation and hydrogenation to produce excellent quality 2-PH
driving the trend of moving away from the use of DEHP/DOP in (Figure 1).
PVC. With the growing middle class in Asia, this is driving global
consumption of plasticiser alcohols. In the past, there has been 2-PH LP OxoSM Technology uses a simple flowsheet, ensuring
restricted availability of higher carbon chain plasticisers in Asia, excellent plant reliability and a high onstream factor. The active
which has in turn resulted in continued high usage of DEHP/ LP OxoSM and hydrogenation catalysts provide high feedstock
DOP. However, this trend is now changing. This has resulted in efficiency and low utility usage, and ensure a consistently
2-PH having the highest growth rate in the higher carbon global excellent quality 2-PH product.
alcohol market since 2006. Compared to the conventional high-pressure technologies used
In anticipation of growing demand for higher alcohols and to make higher oxo alcohols, the LP OxoSM process represents
building on the learning of the successful propylene to 2-EH a paradigm shift in plant design and operation, with enhanced
technology, in the 1990’s, Johnson Matthey (JM) and The Dow safety from operating at substantially lower pressures and
Chemical Company (Dow) jointly developed a low-pressure temperatures: less than 30 bar and 170°C, compared to more
process for producing mixed C5 aldehydes and 2-PH, using LP than 250 bar and 200°C for the high pressure alternatives.
OxoSM Technology. The majority of the world’s 2-PH is made
from the LP OxoSM Process: JM and Dow have granted licenses
for production of more than 400 kTPA mixed C5 aldehydes for
conversion to 2-PH of which more than 300 kTPA is in operation.
Figure 1
Mixed Butenes Valderaldehyde
2-PH
Valderaldehyde
Syngas Hydrogen 2-PH Unit
Unit
One of the key advantages to 2-PH made by the LP OxoSM As well as providing a cost improvement, phthalate esters
Process is that it can be produced from a mixed butene feed prepared from 2-PH for flexible PVC applications also offers
as one of the major costs of producing the alcohol is the olefin many other advantages:
feedstock cost. The use of mixed butene represents a major
• More environmentally friendly than lower molecular weight
OPEX advantage in comparison to other plasticiser alcohols, phthalate esters, such as DEHP/DOP;
as mixed butenes are essentially fuel value. For example,
isodecanol (IDA) uses propylene trimer as feed; and 2-EH uses • Low volatility in vinyl for automotive products;
propylene as feed, and typically the olefin feedstock price is: • Long-term property retention;
• Excellent outdoor performance properties.
Propylene trimer More expensive
The major end-use markets include construction and
automotive production. Additionally, there are emerging uses
Propylene of 2-PH such as surfactants, acrylate esters and lube additives,
as well as possibly nitrates and other higher value specialities in
the future.
Mixed butenes Less expensive
We predict that there will be a continued shift to higher oxo
alcohols in all international markets. In markets where there is
Butene-1 streams may also be used as a feed to LP OxoSM currently overcapacity for DEHP / DOP, existing 2-EH producers
2-PH plants, however, it is generally more expensive than with access to mixed butenes could consider producing 2-PH for
polymer grade butene-1, which is used as a co-monomer in the DPHP, to reduce their feedstock costs.
production of polyethylene (PE).
For existing LP OxoSM licensees who currently produce 2-EH, it
Mixed butenes are available from steam crackers and refineries, is possible to make relatively minor modifications to their plant
but they are typically limited in availability as they are often used to make 2-PH. These modifications could enable campaign
in upgrading motor fuels. Methanol-to-olefins (MTO) plants, production of 2-PH or 2-EH, so that producers can maximise
Fischer-Tropsch (FT) plants, and ethylene oligomerisation, offer their profitability as market requirements change.
new viable sources of mixed butenes (Figure 2).
Figure 2
MTBE
C4 stream Raffinate II
2-PH
NC4- MTBE unit NC4- 2-PH
CC4- CC4-
TC4- TC4-
IC4-
Methanol Syngas Hydrogen
MTBE NC4-
C4 stream Raffinate III
MTBE & 2-PH
NC4- CC4- 2-PH
Butene-1 unit
CC4- TC4-
TC4-
IC4-
Methanol Syngas Hydrogen
Paddington, UK For further information on Johnson Matthey, please contact
email:
[email protected] your local sales representative or visit our website.
www.matthey.com LP OxoSM is a service mark of The Dow Chemical Company
(“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow.
© 2019 Johnson Matthey group &
The Dow Chemical Company
1725JM/0119/0/ENR
