Plant ethers

T. vulgare Intact plant Ether extract and parthenolide 168,169 175... 

German vinyl ether plants were described in detail at the end of World War II and variations of these processes are stiU in use. Vinylation of alcohols from methyl to butyl was carried out under pressure typically 2—2.3 MPa (20—22 atm) and 160—165°C for methyl, and 0.4—0.5 MPa (4—5 atm) and 150—155°C for isobutyl. An unpacked tower, operating continuously, produced about 300 t/month, with yields of 90—95% (247). 

Both of the alkaloids anhalamine (62) from l ophophora williamsii and lophocerine (63) from l ophocereus schotti were isolated (after the properties of purified mescaline had been noted) in the search for materials of similar behavior. Interestingly, lophocerine, isolated as its methyl ether, after dia2omethane treatment of the alkaU-soluble fraction of total plant extract, is racemic. It is not known if the alkaloid in the plant is also racemic or if the isolation procedure causes racemization. 

The first successhil attempt to make textile fibers from plant cellulose can be traced to George Audemars (1). In 1855 he dissolved the nitrated form of cellulose in ether and alcohol and discovered that fibers were formed as the dope was drawn into the air. These soft strong nitrocellulose fibers could be woven into fabrics but had a serious drawback they were explosive, nitrated cellulose being the basis of gun-cotton (see Cellulose esters, inorganic esters). 

In contrast to the silver process, all of the formaldehyde is made by the exothermic reaction (eq. 23) at essentially atmospheric pressure and at 300—400°C. By proper temperature control, a methanol conversion greater than 99% can be maintained. By-products are carbon monoxide and dimethyl ether, in addition to small amounts of carbon dioxide and formic acid. Overall plant yields are 88—92%. 

Capacity Limitations and Biofuels Markets. Large biofuels markets exist (130—133), eg, production of fermentation ethanol for use as a gasoline extender (see Alcohol fuels). Even with existing (1987) and planned additions to ethanol plant capacities, less than 10% of gasoline sales could be satisfied with ethanol—gasoline blends of 10 vol % ethanol the maximum volumetric displacement of gasoline possible is about 1%. The same condition apphes to methanol and alcohol derivatives, ie, methyl-/-butyl ether [1634-04-4] and ethyl-/-butyl ether. 

Electron Transport Between Photosystem I and Photosystem II Inhibitors. The interaction between PSI and PSII reaction centers (Fig. 1) depends on the thermodynamically favored transfer of electrons from low redox potential carriers to carriers of higher redox potential. This process serves to communicate reducing equivalents between the two photosystem complexes. Photosynthetic and respiratory membranes of both eukaryotes and prokaryotes contain stmctures that serve to oxidize low potential quinols while reducing high potential metaHoproteins (40). In plant thylakoid membranes, this complex is usually referred to as the cytochrome b /f complex, or plastoquinolplastocyanin oxidoreductase, which oxidizes plastoquinol reduced in PSII and reduces plastocyanin oxidized in PSI (25,41). Some diphenyl ethers, eg, 2,4-dinitrophenyl 2 -iodo-3 -methyl-4 -nitro-6 -isopropylphenyl ether [69311-70-2] (DNP-INT), and the quinone analogues,... 

High temperature steam reforming of natural gas accounts for 97% of the hydrogen used for ammonia synthesis in the United States. Hydrogen requirement for ammonia synthesis is about 336 m /t of ammonia produced for a typical 1000 t/d ammonia plant. The near-term demand for ammonia remains stagnant. Methanol production requires 560 m of hydrogen for each ton produced, based on a 2500-t/d methanol plant. Methanol demand is expected to increase in response to an increased use of the fuel—oxygenate methyl /-butyl ether (MTBE). 

Acetophenone. Acetophenone [98-86-2] (methyl phenyl ketone) is a colorless Hquid that forms laminar crystals at low temperature (mp 20°C). It has a characteristic sweet orange blossom odor, and is soluble in alcohols and ethers. It is found in nature in oil of casatoreum, obtained from beavers oil of labdanum, recovered from plants and in buds of balsam poplar. It can be prepared by the Friedel-Crafts reaction (qv) of acetyl chloride with benzene in the presence of aluminum chloride however, this route is of Htde commercial significance. 

Polyphenyl Ethers. These very stable organic stmctures have been synthesized in a search for lubricants to meet the needs of future jet engines, nuclear power plants, high temperature hydrauHc components, and high temperature greases (49). A typical formula is C H (—OC H ... 

Until 1982, almost all methyl methacrylate produced woddwide was derived from the acetone cyanohydrin (C-3) process. In 1982, Nippon Shokubai Kagaku Kogyo Company introduced an isobutylene-based (C-4) process, which was quickly followed by Mitsubishi Rayon Company in 1983 (66). Japan Methacryhc Monomer Company, a joint venture of Nippon Shokubai and Sumitomo Chemical Company, introduced a C-4-based plant in 1984 (67). Isobutylene processes are less economically attractive in the United States where isobutylene finds use in the synthesis of methyl /i / butyl ether, a pollution-reducing gasoline additive. BASF began operation of an ethylene-based (C-2) plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany, in 1990, but favorable economics appear to be limited to conditions unique to that site. 

IFP Process for 1-Butene from Ethylene. 1-Butene is widely used as a comonomer in the production of polyethylene, accounting for over 107,000 t in 1992 and 40% of the total comonomer used. About 60% of the 1-butene produced comes from steam cracking and fluid catalytic cracker effluents (10). This 1-butene is typically produced from by-product raffinate from methyl tert-huty ether production. The recovery of 1-butene from these streams is typically expensive and requires the use of large plants to be economical. Institut Francais du Petrole (IFP) has developed and patented the Alphabutol process which produces 1-butene by selectively dimerizing ethylene. 

The alkaloid reserpiae [50-55-5] which is isolated from the roots of Kauwoljia serpentina T., contains a gaUate trimethyl ether moiety. Reserpiae is used as an antihypertensive and a tranquilizer. A vinylogue of reserpiae, rescinnamine [24815-24-5] is also an antihypersensitive (75). Methoxsalen [298-81-7] (8-methoxypsoralen 7JT-9-methoxy-furo [3,2- ] [l]benzopyran-7-one) (21), a furocoumatia that occurs ia plants, eg, l eguminosae and Umbelliferae is used ia the treatment of vitiligo, as a suntanning promoter, and as a sunburn protectant. It is also available by synthesis (76). 

Colchiciae (23) is a toxic substance occurring ia Colchicum autumnale, it coataias the aucleus of pyrogaUol trimethyl ether. Colchiciae has beea used ia the treatmeat of acute gout, and ia plant genetics research to effect doubling of chromosomes. 

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