Ethanol → Octane

Participants

Reaction Steps

The volatile hydrocarbon, e.g., isoprene, is harvested by passing the gaseous phase that contains the volatile hydrocarbon, e.g., isoprene, and O2 through a cooled condenser. The volatile hydrocarbon, e.g., isoprene, may then be collected. In some embodiments, the condensed hydrocarbon, e.g., condensed isoprene, is passed through a solvent, typically an organic solvent. Alcohols such as methanol (boiling point 64.7° C.), ethanol (boiling point 78.0° C.), butanol (boiling point 117.7° C.), and pure hydrocarbons such as hexane (boiling point 69.0° C.), heptane (boiling point 98.4° C.), octane (boiling point 125.5° C.), and dodecane (boiling point 216.2° C.) readily form stable “blends” with isoprene, or other volatile hydrocarbons obtained in accordance with the invention, thereby facilitating its retention and stabilization in a liquid solution. Concentrations of isoprene (or, e.g., alcohol, aldehyde, or other volatile hydrocarbon) collected in this manner vary between 1%, when a solvent is used to trap the isoprene, and 100% isoprene when no solvent is used, but a condenser-temperature low enough is employed to enable retention of isoprene in the liquid phase.

Provenance & Evidence