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CatCarts®

Safe and easy catalyst handling

Use catalysts for your reactions in a safe and cost-effective way with CatCarts®, MicroCatCarts™, MidiCarts™, and metal-metal sealed (MMS) cartridges. The catalyst-filled cartridges can be used with the H-Cube® series instruments, the Phoenix™ flow systems, and the CatCart Changer™.

Heterogeneous catalysis made safe and easy

The CatCart® system is designed to make the handling of even pyrophoric catalysts safer and easier. These cartridges are reusable and compatible with the H-Cube® series instruments and Phoenix™ flow systems.

CatCarts® are made of a stainless-steel tube packed with a solid catalyst of a specific particle size range. A filter system at each end of the tube allows liquid to pass through the column but prevents catalyst from coming out.

ThalesNano offers a wide range of different catalysts loaded into cartridges to suit most types of hydrogenation reactions: from the more common types, such as palladium on carbon and Raney-type Ni, to catalysts used for chemoselective hydrogenations, such as rhenium catalysts.

Advantages

  • Safer handling – no contact between user and catalyst
  • Exchange of catalyst is quick and seamless
  • No catalyst filtration necessary
  • Ability to reuse catalyst with different substrates
  • More efficient mixing of the three phases leading to higher reaction rates

The efficient mixing and super equivalent amount of catalyst at a given time vastly increases the interaction between the phases (solid catalyst, liquid substrate, hydrogen or other compatible gases). This interaction leads to higher mass transfer onto the catalyst surface, increases reaction rates and therefore, shortens reaction times. As the product leaves immediately from the active reaction zone, the reaction mechanism and chemoselectivity can be investigated and controlled easily.

How to use?

The insertion and exchange of CatCarts® into the reactor chambers is a very simple process. The user needs only to open the CatCart® holder, remove the used CatCart® and replace with another cartridge. The whole process takes only a few seconds.

During a reaction, the liquid or gas-liquid mixture enters the CatCart® placed in the heated zone. The reaction takes place on the catalyst surface while the mixture passes through the cartridge. All the catalyst remains in the cartridge, so the user can proceed without catalyst filtration. After thorough washing with solvent, the CatCart® may be used again for the next reaction.

Different sizes to fit your chemistry

The CatCarts® are available in the following sizes:

30 mm CatCart® 70 mm CatCart® MicroCatCart™ MidiCart™ MMS columns
Length (mm) 30 70 30 116 125, 250 or custom sizes
Catalyst bed length (mm) 24 64 8 90 Variable
Internal diameter (mm) 4 4 4 9.5 Variable
Compatible with H-Cube® Mini Plus
H-Cube® Pro
CatCart® Changer
Phoenix™ flow systems		 H-Cube® Mini Plus
H-Cube® Pro
CatCart® Changer
Phoenix™ flow systems		 H-Cube® Mini Plus
H-Cube® Pro
CatCart® Changer
Phoenix™ flow systems		 Phoenix™ flow systems Phoenix™ flow systems

Please note that the particle size of a catalyst may differ in our CatCarts and MidiCarts.

Links for further information

FAQ

The lifetime of the catalyst is affected by polarity, molecular weight, purity, solvent and types of functional groups, e.g. sulphur groups which may poison the catalyst. The reaction parameters can also affect the catalyst longevity (temperature, pressure and concentration), therefore the productivity of the catalyst can vary from milligrams to grams.

Every CatCart® purchase contains the deactivating vials as well. This vial is filled up with a solution of sodium metabisulfite that deactivates the catalyst. The disposable CatCart® should be closed in this deactivation vial and handled the same way as heterogeneous catalysts.

A selection of poisoned catalysts for selective reduction are available, like Lindlar’s catalyst and sulfided Pt catalysts.

When you would like to store the CatCart® for longer time, wash it carefully with deionized water and place it into the original vial. The vial must be filled with deionized water, this is especially critical in the case of pyrophoric catalysts, because if you let the catalyst dry, it will catch on fire.

ThalesNano recommends to let the system to cool down and wash it by flowing the same solvent used in the reaction for at least 10 minutes. After the washing, the CatCart® should be removed from the reactor and stored or disposed properly (see above).

Wash the system with pure solvent after each reaction then test the solvent for contaminants. Continue this procedure until the solvent is clear.

Never use solutions containing mineral acids with Raney-type Ni because you will dissolve the nickel. If you wish to store the CatCarts® filled with Raney-type Ni or any other catalyst after use, always place them in their original containers filled with deionized water.

No, they cannot be used with the H-Cube® Midi, but the Phoenix Flow Reactor™ can work with either of them using the proper holders. The H-Cube® Midi uses specific type of cartridges.

You can preorder from ThalesNano your CatCarts® to be filled with the catalyst that you need. If you prefer, it is also possible that you fill up your own CatCarts® with any catalyst you want using the CatCart Packer™.

We offer a wide range of different catalysts loaded in cartridges to suit most types of hydrogenation reactions, however you can use our custom service to get your CatCarts® filled with the catalyst that you need. Please contact us at askthechemist@thalesnano.com for further information.