Scientific career of Fabrizio Cavani in brief Scientific Interests

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transalkylation of dialkylbenzenes with benzene; (d) the oligomerisation of alkenes; (e) the benzoylation of resorcinol. Funding sources Along the years, the research activity of Fabrizio Cavani has been economically supported by both industrial companies (amongst which also French companies: Air Liquide, Rhone Poulenc/Rhodia, and ElfAtochem/TotalFinaElf). Below, is reported a list of funding sources awarded during the period 2000-2010. Sponsor 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Industrial Companies ENI (I) X X X X Rhodia (F) X X X X X Polynt (I) X X X X X X X X X X X Borregaard (I) X X X X X X X Vanetta (I) X X X TotalFinaElf (F) X X X Air Liquide (F) X X Ciba SC (I) X X X Radici Chimica (I) X X X Sud Chemie (I/D) X X X Sasol (I/D) X X DSM (CH) X Lonza (CH) X Polimeri Europa (I) X Public Bodies Ministery of Research (I) X X Consortium INSTM (I) X X Ministery of Agricultural (I) X European Commission: FP5 X X X X European Commission: FP7 X It is also worth noting that recently FC was awarded a sponsorship for a PhD grant by Tuck Foundation (F), for the period 2011-2013, in co-tutelle with the CNRS-Univ. Lyon (Dr Jean-Marc Millet).
Main scientific and technological achievements During the period 1986-1990, FC discovered the use of H-beta zeolite for the alkylation of benzene with propylene, to synthesize cumene [1,2]; this process is currently employed by Polimeri Europa (ENI group) for the production of cumene. The advantages of the zeolite-based technology for benzene alkylation, as compared to the conventional process based on silicasupported phosphoric acid, are several: (a) a better selectivity to cumene, because of the steric limitations hindering the formation of polyalkylated by-products, and because of the higher activity in polyalkylated transalkylation; (b) a higher productivity, because of the stronger acidity of the zeolite; (c) much less environmental problems; not only the zeolite can be regenerated by treatment in air, but also shows unchanged activity for several years before regeneration is needed. Conversely, the formerly used catalyst could not be regenerated, and had to be disposed every one year at best; (d) no production of waste acid sludges, that are instead typically produced with the formerly used catalyst, and are the reason for severe equipment corrosion and for environmental concerns because of its disposal. 1. F.Cavani, V.Arrigoni, G.Bellussi, "Procedimento per la preparazione di cumene", Brevetto Italiano 1,217,525 (20495 A/88); Eur. Patent 340,862 B1; US Patent 4,992,608 A; Jap. Patent 02011527. Assigned to EniChem Sintesi, EniRicerche. 2. F. Cavani, V. Arrigoni, R. Ghezzi, G. Bellussi, "Processo per l'alchilazione di composti aromatici", Brevetto Italiano 1,237,198 (22412 A/89); Eur. Patent 432,814 B1. Assigned to a EniChem Synthesis, EniRicerche, Snamprogetti. During the period 1997-2003, FC has developed in collaboration with Lonza SpA (formerly Alusuisse, later Polynt), a catalyst based on vanadyl pyrophosphate (VO)2P2O7 for the selective oxidation of n-butane into maleic anhydride [3-5]. Along the years, the industrial catalyst, currently used in the Polynt plant in Ravenna producing 50,000 tons/year of maleic anhydride, and in other plants delivered to other companies and using Polynt catalyst, has been improved, both in terms of maleic anhydride yield, catalyst lifetime and stability during operation. In concomitance with the development of the catalyst (with various generations of improved catalyst produced and used during the years), the nature of the active phase in the vanadyl pyrophosphate catalyst has been ascertained [6-9], that also allowed understanding the dynamic effects involving the change of the active phase characteristics in function of reaction conditions, and hence modify accordingly the catalyst composition and preparation procedure. The fluid-bed technology used by Polynt for the synthesis of maleic anhydride from n-butane is one of the most, if not the most, efficient technology, combining high selectivity to the desired product with excellent economics because of the better heat recovery. 1. G. Mazzoni, G. Stefani, F. Cavani, "Procedimento per la trasformazione di un precursore di catalizzatore a base di ossido misto di vanadio/fosforo nel catalizzatore attivo per la produzione di anidride maleica", Brevetto Italiano 1,290,407 (MI00836 A/96); Eur. Patent 804,963 B1 (1997); US Patent 5,847,163; Japan Patent 10052644, Mx Patent 9703089, CN 1178138. Assigned to Lonza SpA. 2. S. Ligi, F. Cavani, S. Albonetti, G. Mazzoni, “Vanadium/Phosphorus mixed oxide catalyst precursor”, Brevetto Italiano MI991233; WO Patent 00/72,963 (2000); US Patent 6,734,135 (2004); US Patent 6956004 B2 (2005). EP 1,183,101. US 2004-162,217. Assigned to Lonza SpA
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Scientific career of Fabrizio Cavani in brief Scientific Interests

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