Patents by Inventor Thomas Foo

Thomas Foo 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).

  • Patent number: 7880028
    Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the production of 3-pentenenitrile, comprising: (a) contacting, in a reaction zone, a hydrogen cyanide-containing feed, a 1,3-butadiene-containing feed, and a catalyst precursor composition, wherein the catalyst precursor composition comprises a zero-valent nickel and at least one multidentate phosphorus-containing ligand selected from the group consisting of a phosphite, a phosphonite, a phosphinite, a phosphine, and a mixed phosphorus-containing ligand or a combination of such members; and (b) maintaining a residence time sufficient to convert about 95% or more of the hydrogen cyanide and to produce a reaction mixture comprising 3-pentenenitrile and 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, wherein the 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile concentration is maintained below about 15 weight percent of the total mass of the reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Invista North America S.A R.L.
    Inventors: Thomas Foo, Sigridur S. Kristjansdottir, Ronald J. McKinney, Ron Ozer, Paul S. Pearlman
  • Patent number: 7741083
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20100145074
    Abstract: This invention relates to compounds useful as ionic liquids that are based on an N-substituted pyrrolidinone and incorporate a pendant ammonium cation that is spaced from the pyrrolidone ring by a variable length linker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: THOMAS FOO, Mark Andrew Harmer, Keith W. Hutchenson, Christopher P. Junk, Berlyn R. Mellein, Aaron Minter
  • Publication number: 20100145073
    Abstract: This invention relates to compounds useful as ionic liquids that are based on an N-substituted pyrrolidinone and incorporate a pendant ammonium cation that is spaced from the pyrrolidone ring by a variable length linker, which compounds may be represented by the structure of the following Formula I: wherein: (a) Z is —(CH2)n—, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 12; (b) R2, R3 and R4 are each independently H or a C1 to C6 straight-chain or branched alkyl group; and (c) A?is levulinate, —[CF3—O—CFHCF2SO3]—, [CF3CF2OCFHCF2SO3]—, or [CF3CF2CF2OCFHCF2SO3]—.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: THOMAS FOO, Mark Andrew Harmer, Keith W. Hutchenson, Christopher P. Junk, Berlyn R. Mellein, Aaron Minter
  • Patent number: 7732172
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffrey Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 7709673
    Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the production of 3-pentenenitrile comprising: (a) contacting, in a reaction zone, a hydrogen cyanide-containing feed, a butadiene-containing feed, and a catalyst precursor composition, wherein the catalyst precursor composition comprises a zero-valent nickel and at least one bidentate phosphite ligand selected from a member of the group represented by Structures I and II, in which all like reference characters have the same meaning, except as further explicitly limited: wherein R1 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of C1 to C5 hydrocarbyl, and R2, R3, R4, R6, R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C1 to C4 hydrocarbyl; and (b) maintaining a residence time in the reaction zone sufficient to convert about 95% or more of the hydrogen cyanide and to produce a reaction mixture comprising 3-pentenenitrile and 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, wherein the 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile concentration is maintain
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Invista North America S.A R.L.
    Inventors: Thomas Foo, Sigridur S. Kristjansdottir, Ronald J. McKinney, Ron Ozer
  • Patent number: 7709674
    Abstract: A hydrocyanation process produces adiponitrile and other dinitriles having six carbon atoms. The process involves forming a reaction mixture in the presence of at least one Lewis acid. The reaction mixture includes ethylenically unsaturated nitrites having five carbon atoms, hydrogen cyanide, and a catalyst precursor compositions. The reaction mixture is continuously fed while controlling the overall feed molar ratio of 2-pentenenitriles to all unsaturated nitriles and the overall feed molar ratio of hydrogen cyanide to all unsaturated nitrites. In the reaction product mixture, including adiponitrile, the ratio of the concentration of 2-pentenenitriles to the concentration of 3-pentenenitriles from about 0.2/1 to about 10/1. Included in the catalyst precursor composition is a zero-valent nickel and at least one multidentate phosphorus-containing ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Invista North America S.A R.L
    Inventors: Thomas Foo, James Michael Garner, Ron Ozer, Paul S. Pearlman
  • Patent number: 7659422
    Abstract: A hydrocyanation process produces adiponitrile and other dinitriles having six carbon atoms. The process involves forming a reaction mixture in the presence of at least one Lewis acid. The reaction mixture includes ethylenically unsaturated nitriles having five carbon atoms, hydrogen cyanide, and a catalyst precursor composition. The reaction mixture is continuously fed while controlling the overall feed molar ratio of 2-pentenenitriles to all unsaturated nitriles and the overall feed molar ratio of hydrogen cyanide to all unsaturated nitriles. In the reaction product mixture, including adiponitrile, the ratio of the concentration of 2-pentenenitriles to the concentration of 3-pentenenitriles is from about 0.2/1 to about 10/1. Included in the catalyst precursor composition is a zero-valent nickel and at least one bidentate phosphite ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Invista North America S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Thomas Foo, James Michael Garner, Ron Ozer
  • Patent number: 7635789
    Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) and formula (III): wherein A is —F or —CF3; Rf is independently C1-C6 perfluorinated linear or branched alkyl optionally interrupted by one or more oxygens; Ro is a linear or branched aliphatic group of about 10 to about 100 carbon atoms, interrupted by about 5 to about 50 ether oxygens, wherein the ratio of ether oxygen to carbon atoms is about 1:2 to about 1:3; and wherein each carbon atom has at most one ether oxygen atom bonded to it, and covalent bonding between ether oxygen atoms is absent; m is an integer of 1 to 3; Y?m is an anionic radical selected from the group consisting of halide, C1-C6 carboxylate, carbonate, hydrocarbonate, sulfate, hydrosulfate, C1-C6 sulfonate, phosphate, hydrophosphate, and dihydrophosphate. Further embodiments include methods of lowering surface tension of a medium comprising contacting the medium with a composition of formula (I), (III), or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Thomas Foo
  • Publication number: 20090182164
    Abstract: The invention provides a hydrocyanation process to produce adiponitrile and other dinitriles having six carbon atoms, in the presence of catalyst composition comprising a zero-valent nickel and at least one bidentate phosphorus-containing ligand wherein the bidentate phosphorus-containing ligand gives acceptable results according to at least one protocol of the 2-Pentenenitrile Hydrocyanation Test Method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: INVISTA NORTH AMERICA S.A R.L.
    Inventors: Thomas Foo, James Michael Garner, Ron Ozer, Paul S. Pearlman
  • Publication number: 20090182163
    Abstract: The invention provides an integrated, continuous process for the production of 3-pentenenitrile, the refining of 3-pentenenitrile, and the refining of 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, the process comprising: (a) contacting, in a reaction zone, a hydrogen cyanide-containing feed, a butadiene-containing feed, and a catalyst composition, wherein the catalyst composition comprises a zero-valent nickel and at least one bidentate phosphorus-containing ligand selected from the group consisting of a phosphite, a phosphonite, a phosphinite, a phosphine, a mixed phosphorus-containing ligand, and combination thereof; (b) maintaining a residence time in the reaction zone sufficient to convert about 95% or more of the hydrogen cyanide and to produce a reaction mixture comprising 3-pentenenitrile and 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, wherein the 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile concentration is maintained below about 15 weight percent of the total mass of the reaction mixture; (c) distilling the reaction mixture to obtain a first stream compr
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: INVISTA NORTH AMERICA S.A R.L.
    Inventors: THOMAS FOO, Sigridur S. Kristjansdottir, Ronald J. McKinney, Ron Ozer, Paul S. Pearlman
  • Publication number: 20090042997
    Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) and formula (III): wherein A is —F or —CF3; Rf is independently C1-C6 perfluorinated linear or branched alkyl optionally interrupted by one or more oxygens; Ro is a linear or branched aliphatic group of about 10 to about 100 carbon atoms, interrupted by about 5 to about 50 ether oxygens, wherein the ratio of ether oxygen to carbon atoms is about 1:2 to about 1:3; and wherein each carbon atom has at most one ether oxygen atom bonded to it, and covalent bonding between ether oxygen atoms is absent; m is an integer of 1 to 3; Y?m is an anionic radical selected from the group consisting of halide, C1-C6 carboxylate, carbonate, hydrocarbonate, sulfate, hydrosulfate, C1-C6 sulfonate, phosphate, hydrophosphate, and dihydrophosphate. Further embodiments include methods of lowering surface tension of a medium comprising contacting the medium with a composition of formula (I), (III), or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: THOMAS FOO
  • Publication number: 20090011483
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemous And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jerrery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090011482
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090004708
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090004710
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090004711
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090004709
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: E.l. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20090004707
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, Thomas Foo, F. Glenn Gallagher, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 7445917
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe