Patents by Inventor Robert Thomas Hembre

Robert Thomas Hembre has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Iron-catalyzed selective production of methyl esters from aldehydes
    Patent number: 10590062
    Abstract: A process for making methyl esters in high yields is provided. The process comprises contacting aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes and methanol with an iron catalyst, to catalyze the dehydrogenative coupling between aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes and methanol. The reaction is highly selective (<99.9%) toward the formation of methyl esters over homoesters and alcohols and operates at temperatures of less than 100° C. for 2-8 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sumit Chakraborty, Steven J. Adams, Robert Thomas Hembre, Leslie Sharon Depew
  • Process for the production of esters
    Patent number: 10577305
    Abstract: A process for making methyl esters in high yields. The process comprises contacting aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes and methanol with a homogeneous dimeric ruthenium catalyst, to catalyze the dehydrogenative coupling between aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes and methanol. The reaction is highly selective (<99.9%) toward the formation of methyl esters over homoesters and alcohols and operates at temperatures of less than 100° C. for 2-8 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sumit Chakraborty, Steven J. Adams, Robert Thomas Hembre, Scott Donald Barnicki, David Alan Jenkins
  • Vulcanizing composition containing cyclododecasulfur and improved cyclododecasulfur compound
    Patent number: 10570218
    Abstract: A vulcanizing composition useful for the vulcanization of vulcanizable formulations is disclosed. The vulcanizing composition includes a vulcanizing agent which in turn includes a cyclododecasulfur compound. A cyclododecasulfur compound characterized by a DSC melt point onset of between 155° C. and 167° C. when measured at a DSC heat rate of 20° C./minute is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Frederick Ignatz-Hoover, Robert Thomas Hembre, Andrew Neil Smith, Henk Kreulen
  • Process for making formic acid utilizing lower-boiling formate esters
    Patent number: 10570081
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering formic acid from a formate ester of a C3 to C4 alcohol. Disclosed is also a process for producing formic acid by carbonylating a C3 to C4 alcohol, hydrolyzing the formate ester of the alcohol, and recovering a formic acid product. The alcohol may be dried and returned to the reactor. The process enables a more energy efficient production of formic acid than the carbonylation of methanol to produce methyl formate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Robert Thomas Hembre, Sumit Chakraborty, Gerald Wayne Ollis, Randy Lynn Jennings, Stijn Van de Vyver
  • SYNTHESIS OF BICYCLO[2.2.2]OCTANES
    Publication number: 20200039906
    Abstract: Provided is a process for the preparation of certain 1,4-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives. The new synthetic procedure involves treating 1,4-dimethylene cyclohexane with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a transition metal catalyst comprising a palladium compound to afford certain oxo-substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octane species. The process of the invention thus affords a novel and simplified means for the commercial production of a wide variety of bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Yue Rachel Hu, Robert Thomas Hembre, Gerald Charles Tustin, Christopher Harlan Burk
  • Process for making formic acid utilizing higher-boiling formate esters
    Patent number: 10544077
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering formic acid from a formate ester that allows for recovery of a formic acid product comprising greater than 75 wt. % formic acid. Disclosed is also a process for producing formic acid by carbonylating a carrier alcohol, hydrolyzing the formate ester of the carrier alcohol, and recovering a formic acid product comprising greater than 70 wt. % formic acid. Discloses are carrier alcohols that enable more favorable hydrolysis equilibriums and/or distillation sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Robert Thomas Hembre, Sumit Chakraborty, Vickie Haygood Osborne, Michael Richard Laningham, Stijn Van de Vyver
  • Immobilized Ruthenium-Triphos Catalysts for Selective Hydrogenolysis of Amides
    Publication number: 20200001286
    Abstract: A compound represented by the structure of formula (I): The compound is useful as a ligand for ruthenium to form an organometallic complex. The complex may be immobilized on an oxidic support to form an active, heterogeneous catalyst for the hydrogenolysis of amides to form amines and optionally alcohols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jürgen KLANKERMAYER, Walter LEITNER, Andreas ROSEN, Stefan WESTHUES, Robert Thomas HEMBRE
  • Molecular Catalysts for Selective Hydrogenolysis of Amides
    Publication number: 20190345178
    Abstract: A compound by the name 1,1,1-tris(di(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)phosphino-methyl)ethane. The compound can be represented by the structure of formula (I): The compound is useful as a ligand for ruthenium to form an organometallic complex. The complex is an active catalyst for the hydrogenolysis of amides to form amines and optionally alcohols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jürgen KLANKERMAYER, Stefan WESTHUES, Walter LEITNER, Robert Thomas HEMBRE
  • Iron-catalyzed cross-coupling of methanol with secondary or tertiary alcohols to produce formate esters
    Patent number: 10435349
    Abstract: A process for preparing a variety of secondary and tertiary alkyl formate esters via the coupling of methanol and secondary (or tertiary) alcohols. Iron-based catalysts, supported by pincer ligands, are employed to produce these formate esters in high yields and unprecedentedly high selectivities (>99%). Remarkably, the coupling strategy is also applicable to bulkier tertiary alcohols, which afford corresponding tertiary formate esters in moderately high yields and high selectivities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sumit Chakraborty, Steven J. Adams, Robert Thomas Hembre, Scott Donald Barnicki, Michael Richard Laningham, Gerarld Wayne Ollis, Randy Lynn Jennings
  • DURABLE ELASTOMERIC COMPOSITIONS EMPLOYING CYCLODODECASULFUR AS A VULCANIZING AGENT
    Publication number: 20190211161
    Abstract: Vulcanizable elastomeric formulation are disclosed. The formulations comprise at least one elastomer; a vulcanizing agent comprising cyclododecasulfur; and a prevulcanization inhibitor, present in an amount, for example, from about 0.01 phr to about 10 phr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Frederick Ignatz-Hoover, Robert Thomas Hembre, Andrew Neil Smith, Henk Kreulen, Aruna M. Velamakanni, Chenchy Lin, Ronald H. Arthur
  • Processes for forming vulcanizable elastomeric formulations and vulcanized elastomeric articles
    Patent number: 10280281
    Abstract: Processes for forming a vulcanizable elastomeric formulation are disclosed. The processes include the steps of mixing an elastomer with a vulcanizing agent to form a vulcanizable elastomeric formulation that includes the vulcanizing agent dispersed in the elastomeric compound, wherein the vulcanizing agent includes a cyclododecasulfur compound. A process for forming a vulcanized elastomeric article is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Frederick Ignatz-Hoover, Robert Thomas Hembre, Andrew Neil Smith, Henk Kreulen, Aruna M. Velamakanni
  • Synthesis of glycols via transfer hydrogenation of alpha-functional esters with alcohols
    Patent number: 10266467
    Abstract: A transfer hydrogenation process for forming vicinal diols by hydrogenating 1,2-dioxygenated organic compounds using alcohols as the reducing agent instead of the traditional H2 gas. The transfer hydrogenation is carried out under milder conditions of temperature and pressure than is typical for ester hydrogenation with H2. The milder conditions of operation provide benefits, such as lower operating and capital costs for industrial scale production as well as savings in product purification due to the avoidance of by-products from exposure of reaction mixtures and products to high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sumit Chakraborty, Robert Thomas Hembre
  • Iron-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of esters to alcohols
    Patent number: 10266466
    Abstract: Iron-based homogeneous catalysts, supported by pincer ligands, are employed in the transfer hydrogenation of esters using C2-C12 alcohols as sacrificial hydrogen donors to produce corresponding alcohols from the esters. No external H2 pressure is required. The reaction can be carried out under ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sumit Chakraborty, Vikram Seshadri, Steven J. Adams, Robert Thomas Hembre, Scott Donald Barnicki
  • PROCESS FOR MAKING FORMIC ACID UTILIZING LOWER-BOILING FORMATE ESTERS
    Publication number: 20190039984
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering formic acid from a formate ester of a C3 to C4 alcohol. Disclosed is also a process for producing formic acid by carbonylating a C3 to C4 alcohol, hydrolyzing the formate ester of the alcohol, and recovering a formic acid product. The alcohol may be dried and returned to the reactor. The process enables a more energy efficient production of formic acid than the carbonylation of methanol to produce methyl formate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Robert Thomas Hembre, Sumit Chakraborty, Gerald Wayne Ollis, Randy Lynn Jennings, Stijn Van de Vyver
  • IRON-CATALYZED TRANSFER HYDROGENATION OF ESTERS TO ALCOHOLS
    Publication number: 20190039977
    Abstract: Iron-based homogeneous catalysts, supported by pincer ligands, are employed in the transfer hydrogenation of esters using C2-C12 alcohols as sacrificial hydrogen donors to produce corresponding alcohols from the esters. No external H2 pressure is required. The reaction can be carried out under ambient pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sumit Chakraborty, Vikram Seshadri, Steven J. Adams, Robert Thomas Hembre, Scott Donald Barnicki
  • PROCESS FOR MAKING FORMIC ACID UTILIZING HIGHER-BOILING FORMATE ESTERS
    Publication number: 20190039985
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering formic acid from a formate ester that allows for recovery of a formic acid product comprising greater than 75 wt. % formic acid. Disclosed is also a process for producing formic acid by carbonylating a carrier alcohol, hydrolyzing the formate ester of the carrier alcohol, and recovering a formic acid product comprising greater than 70 wt. % formic acid. Discloses are carrier alcohols that enable more favorable hydrolysis equilibriums and/or distillation sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Robert Thomas Hembre, Sumit Chakraborty, Vickie Haygood Osborne, Michael Richard Laningham, Stijn Van de Vyver
  • IRON-CATALYZED CROSS-COUPLING OF METHANOL WITH SECONDARY OR TERTIARY ALCOHOLS TO PRODUCE FORMATE ESTERS
    Publication number: 20190039992
    Abstract: A process for preparing a variety of secondary and tertiary alkyl formate esters via the coupling of methanol and secondary (or tertiary) alcohols. Iron-based catalysts, supported by pincer ligands, are employed to produce these formate esters in high yields and unprecedentedly high selectivities (>99%). Remarkably, the coupling strategy is also applicable to bulkier tertiary alcohols, which afford corresponding tertiary formate esters in moderately high yields and high selectivities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sumit Chakraborty, Steven J. Adams, Robert Thomas Hembre, Scott Donald Barnicki, Michael Richard Laningham, Gerarld Wayne Ollis, Randy Lynn Jennings
  • HOMOGENEOUS IRON CATALYSTS FOR THE CONVERSION OF ETHANOL TO ETHYL ACETATE AND HYDROGEN
    Publication number: 20190039991
    Abstract: Iron-based homogeneous catalysts, supported by pincer ligands, are employed in the catalytic dehydrocoupling of ethanol to produce ethyl acetate and hydrogen. As both ethanol and ethyl acetate are volatile materials, they can be readily separated from the catalyst by applying vacuum at room temperature. The hydrogen by-product of the reaction may be isolated and utilized as a feedstock in other chemical transformations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sumit Chakraborty, Steven J. Adams, Robert Thomas Hembre, Scott Donald Barnicki
  • HOMOGENEOUS IRON CATALYSTS FOR THE CONVERSION OF METHANOL TO METHYL FORMATE AND HYDROGEN
    Publication number: 20190039990
    Abstract: Iron-based homogeneous catalysts, supported by pincer ligands, are employed in the catalytic dehydrocoupling of methanol to produce methyl formate and hydrogen. As both methanol and methyl formate are volatile materials, they can be readily separated from the catalyst by applying vacuum at room temperature. The hydrogen by-product of the reaction may be isolated and utilized as a feedstock in other chemical transformations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sumit Chakraborty, Steven J. Adams, Robert Thomas Hembre, Scott Donald Barnicki
  • SYNTHESIS OF GLYCOLS VIA TRANSFER HYDROGENATION OF ALPHA-FUNCTIONAL ESTERS WITH ALCOHOLS
    Publication number: 20190039978
    Abstract: A transfer hydrogenation process for forming vicinal diols by hydrogenating 1,2-dioxygenated organic compounds using alcohols as the reducing agent instead of the traditional H2 gas. The transfer hydrogenation is carried out under milder conditions of temperature and pressure than is typical for ester hydrogenation with H2. The milder conditions of operation provide benefits, such as lower operating and capital costs for industrial scale production as well as savings in product purification due to the avoidance of by-products from exposure of reaction mixtures and products to high temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sumit Chakraborty, Robert Thomas Hembre