Scientific career of Fabrizio Cavani in brief Scientific Interests

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