As the Director of Operations（COO）of the European Research and Development GmbH, Dr. Xue Qicai has a long history of developing efficient, green and sustainable organic synthesis methods for the preparation of high-end fine chemicals. His team developed a range of highly active and selective catalysts around the theme of green synthesis, particularly noteworthy in the synthesis of Methyl Aromatic ether. In this research, Dr. Xue is oriented towards achieving waste reuse in the coal chemical industry of Shaanxi Coal Group, achieving climate neutrality and circular economy for organic and mineral waste. Specifically, the reaction feedstock is phenolic compounds from coal tar, and dimethyl carbonate (which replaces the highly toxic dimethyl sulphate) ，which is a by-product of processing coal into ethylene glycol. No wastewater is generated throughout the reaction process, organic waste streams and solid waste are also dramatically reduced.
To date, Shaanxi Coal Chemical Industry Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd. has achieved the marketability of eight products (Anisole, 4-Methylanisole, 1,2-Dimethoxybenzene, Dimethoxybenzene, 1,4-Dimethoxybenzene, 1,2,3-Trimethoxybenzene, 1,4-Di-tert-butyl-2,5-dimethoxybenzene, 2-Methoxynaphthalene), overcoming the shortcomings of traditional technology and effectively addressing the serious pollution situation in the industry. The production scale of the plant is expected to reach 5,000 tons/year by 2023.
Chemical book LINK：
1,4-DI-TERT-BUTYL-2,5-DIMETHOXYBENZENE
