The Technology
Methods for selective functionalization of various alkanes and other aliphatic derivatives are usually highly energy-consuming processes (high temperatures and pressures, e.g. alkane cracking) or using expensive noble transition metal catalysts. They are also not general processes and are also low yielding.
Highly selective terminal and versatile functionalization of alkanes can be achieved by an optimized 2 step sequence – biotransformation to dehydrogenate an alkane and organometallic step hydro-functionalization of the resulting alkene.
Advantages
- Hydrophobicity
- Cost effective intermediate materials
- High yield
- Environmentally friendly process
Applications and Opportunities
- Intermediate materials for preparation of plastics, drugs, nano materials etc.
