Toward Separation and Purification of Olefins Using Dithiolene Complexes: An Electrochemical Approach
Kun Wang,*
Edward I. Stiefel*
The complex
Ni[S2C2(CF3)2]2
reacts with light olefins, including ethylene and propylene,
selectively and reversibly. The reaction is not poisoned by hydrogen
gas, carbon monoxide, acetylene, or hydrogen sulfide, which are
commonly present in olefin streams, presumably because olefin binding
occurs through the sulfur ligand rather than the metal center. The
reversible reaction of olefins with
Ni[S2C2(CN)2]2n
(n = 0, 
1, 2) can be controlled electrochemically,
where the oxidation state-dependent binding and release of olefins are
fast on the electrochemical time scale. The observed tolerance to
poisons and controllable electrochemical reactivity present an
alternative approach to the separation of olefins from complex streams.
Corporate Strategic Research, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering
Company, Route 22 East, Clinton Township, Annandale, NJ 08801, USA.
*
E-mail: kwang{at}erenj.com (K.W.); eistief{at}erenj.com (E.I.S.)
