Parallel Hydrogenation Experiments in the Fine Chemicals Industry

Parallel experimentation is a key tool in the fine chemicals industry to develop cost-efficient processes in a short time. This is especially true for hydrogenation reactions where a vast number of commercial catalysts are available with significantly different properties and reactivities. The ability to quickly cover a good part of experimental space and identify the optimal catalyst and reaction conditions would not be possible without parallel experimentation. This article gives an overview of how such experiments are performed at DSM and selected examples of successful projects.

Keywords: Hydrogenation, parallel experimentation, catalyst screening, reaction optimization, vitamins, fine chemicals.