Oxynitrox S100, launched at the CPhI 2006 tradeshow in Paris, is a new totally organic oxidation catalyst, with applications primarily in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and fragrance markets, said the firm.
The catalyst, which has the chemical structure of a nitroxide type polymer, has already been tested in the oxidation of various alcohols such as octanol-1, octanol-2, cyclo-octanol, 1-phenyl ethanol, and benzyl alcohol.
"Oxynitrox S100 offers countless prospects in fine chemicals, in particular with its capacity to steer the selective oxidation of primary alcohols into aldehydes," an Arkema spokesperson said in a presentation.
"It can also lead in a fully controlled mode to the formation of corresponding acids and convert secondary alcohols into ketones."
Arkema outlined the environmental benefits of the catalyst including its ability to enable optimum performance at ambient temperature, allowing savings in energy consumption, as well as its specific polymer structure that makes it recyclable.
"It is easy to separate from the other reaction products, and can perform in consecutive oxidation reactions without losing any of its efficiency," the firm said.
In addition, as an entirely organic product, the catalyst "contains no metallic element, but proves as effective as other traditional metallic oxidation catalysts based on ruthenium, molybdenum, silver or cerium."
Meanwhile, Arkema's Hydrogen Peroxide business unit also used CPhI as a launching pad for its new product website dedicated to hydrazine hydrate and derivatives.
The website will serve as an "information and exchange platform," featuring the firm's "know-how in terms of product performance, logistics, competitive production and sales."