Aromatic multi-ring molecules such as benzyltoluene and dibenzyltoluene are industrially important compounds used in pharmaceuticals, heat-transfer fluids, fragrances, etc. and increasingly as liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) for the storage and transport of hydrogen used for fuel. Unfortunately, current synthetic methods for producing these molecules are not sustainable on the large scale projected to be needed in the future. The Seeker, Johnson Matthey, is looking for innovative sustainable approaches for the synthesis of these or similar molecules.
As the world moves toward greener energy sources carbon-free fuels such as hydrogen will supplant traditional hydrocarbons for uses where electrification is not practical. One major hurdle remaining is in the transport and storage of hydrogen. Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) are molecules that can be readily hydrogenated and dehydrogenated to store and release hydrogen and are easy to handle and transport. LOHCs are likely to be important energy vectors in the future and aromatic multi-ring compounds such as benzyltoluene and dibenzyltoluene are leading candidates to fill such a role. Current synthetic methods to make these compounds typically rely on batch processes and environmentally unfriendly reactants and thus are not suitable for the large-scale sustainable production that will be required to produce the amounts needed in the future. Johnson Matthey, the Seeker for this Challenge, is searching for innovative ideas for the sustainable large-scale production of these or similar molecules.
Awards:- $15000 USD
Deadline:- 20-10-2022
