LIKAT, Ruhr University and Evonik Develop New Catalyst for Climate-Friendly Chemical Production

Rostock/Bochum/Marl, Germany. Researchers from Leibniz Catalyst Institute (LIKAT), Ruhr University Bochum and Evonik Oxeno have developed a new catalyst system that enables carbon dioxide (CO₂), a climate gas, to be used as a raw material for the chemical industry. This groundbreaking advance allows more sustainable production of basic products such as building blocks for perfumes and plastics.

Project Leader Prof. Dr. Robert Franke at Evonik Oxeno states, "Using CO₂ directly as a raw material represents a turning point for sustainable chemistry on an industrial scale. Our collaboration with LIKAT and Ruhr University Bochum demonstrates how innovative solutions can transform the chemical industry when excellent basic research is combined with industrial expertise."

Carbonylation is a central process in chemical production; in this process, olefins—a hydrocarbon group—are converted to esters or acids using carbon monoxide. These substances are fundamental components of many everyday products. The process yields basic chemicals such as methyl methacrylate, a precursor for acrylic glass, as well as specialty chemicals such as methyl ester of valeric acid for perfumes.

The newly developed bimetallic catalyst system replaces toxic carbon monoxide with climate-friendly carbon dioxide and green hydrogen. In the presence of transition metals iridium and palladium, combined with a proven industrial phosphine ligand, olefins are directly converted to esters. The system exhibits high selectivity for linear products, which is particularly valuable in industrial applications.

Research Group Leader Dr. Ralf Jackstell at LIKAT states, "This catalyst system is an excellent example of how targeted research can contribute to the defossilization of the chemical industry. CO₂ is now viewed not as waste, but as a valuable resource."

This opens a new perspective: producing industrially relevant chemicals directly from the climate gas CO₂ and green hydrogen in a resource-efficient manner. The results were published in the prestigious journal Journal of the American Chemical Society.

About Evonik Oxeno
Evonik Oxeno, a wholly owned subsidiary of Evonik, is a leader in C₄ chemistry with 50 years of experience and operates two world-scale C₄ production facilities in Marl and Antwerp. The flexibility of its integrated network enables Oxeno to respond quickly and efficiently to changing supply and demand conditions, while optimizing the complexity of value chains for suppliers and customers alike.

About Leibniz Catalyst Institute (LIKAT Rostock)
The Leibniz Catalyst Institute (LIKAT) in Rostock is one of the largest publicly funded research institutes for applied catalysis. With approximately 300 employees, it develops innovative catalysts and sustainable processes for chemistry, energy and the environment. As a member of the Leibniz Association, LIKAT conducts research of societal relevance and spans the entire process from basic science to industrial application.

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