Open AccessExperimental Limiting Oxygen Concentrations for Nine Organic Solvents at Temperatures and Pressures Relevant to Aerobic Oxidations in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Author(s) -
Paul M. Osterberg,
Jeffry K. Niemeier,
Christopher J. Welch,
Joel M. Hawkins,
Joseph R. Martinelli,
Thomas E. Johnson,
Thatcher W. Root,
Shan S. Stahl
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
organic process research and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1520-586X
pISSN - 1083-6160
DOI - 10.1021/op500328f
Subject(s) - chemistry , oxygen , toluene , methanol , acetonitrile , acetic acid , limiting , ethyl acetate , dimethyl sulfoxide , organic chemistry , alcohol , inorganic chemistry , mechanical engineering , engineering
Applications of aerobic oxidation methods in pharmaceutical manufacturing are limited in part because mixtures of oxygen gas and organic solvents often create the potential for a flammable atmosphere. To address this issue, limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) values, which define the minimum partial pressure of oxygen that supports a combustible mixture, have been measured for nine commonly used organic solvents at elevated temperatures and pressures. The solvents include acetic acid, N -methylpyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, tert -amyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, methanol, acetonitrile, and toluene. The data obtained from these studies help define safe operating conditions for the use of oxygen with organic solvents.