Methyltrioxorhenium (MTO)

Description

1. Product Overview
Methyltrioxorhenium (MTO, CH₃ReO₃) is a high-purity organometallic catalyst widely recognized as the most efficient and versatile rhenium-based oxidation catalyst for industrial fine chemical synthesis. Its primary use is in selective oxidation reactions, including epoxidation of olefins and Baeyer–Villiger oxidations, operating under mild conditions with exceptional turnover frequencies. The key value proposition is the dramatic reduction in waste and energy consumption compared to traditional transition metal catalysts, enabling greener, cost-efficient production. Strategically, MTO is critical for industries transitioning to sustainable chemistry, offering a scalable pathway to high-value oxygenated intermediates with minimal environmental footprint.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Methyltrioxorhenium(VII) (CH₃ReO₃), CAS 70197-13-6

• Purity grade: ≥99.9% (trace metals basis) / Standard industrial grade ≥98%

• Physical form: White to off-white crystalline powder

• Appearance: Free-flowing, non-hygroscopic under standard storage

• Molecular weight: 249.24 g/mol

• Density: 3.35 g/cm³ (20°C)

• Melting point: 111–113°C (decomposes >150°C)

• Solubility: Soluble in water, acetone, THF, dichloromethane, methanol

• Packaging options: 1 kg, 5 kg, 25 kg fiber drums with inner PE liner; 100 kg stainless steel drums for bulk

• Shelf life: 24 months from date of manufacture when stored in sealed, dry conditions (15–25°C, <50% RH)

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Pharmaceutical intermediates: Epoxidation of allylic alcohols and unfunctionalized olefins to produce chiral epoxides for API synthesis – outperforms peracids with higher selectivity and no corrosive byproducts.

• Agrochemicals: Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of ketones to esters/lactones for pesticide and herbicide intermediates – achieves >95% conversion at 40–60°C versus >100°C for conventional catalysts.

• Flavors & fragrances: Production of macrocyclic musks and terpene oxides – eliminates heavy metal residues, simplifying purification and meeting EU purity standards.

• Polymer additives: Catalytic oxidation of cycloolefins to diepoxides for cross-linked resins – reduces reaction time by 40% compared to molybdenum-based systems.

• Cost advantage: Operates at 0.1–0.5 mol% loading, lowering rhenium usage per batch while enabling catalyst recovery via immobilization on silica or ionic liquids.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: ISO 9001:2025 certified production with lot-to-lot traceability; each shipment includes ICP-MS analysis for trace metals (Fe, Cu, Mn <10 ppm) and GC purity certificate.

• Supply reliability: Backed by long-term rhenium sourcing agreements (primary and recycled) ensuring 12+ months forward inventory; dual manufacturing sites (Americas & EMEA) mitigate geopolitical risk.

• Logistics capability: Global warehousing in Rotterdam, Houston, and Shanghai enables 48-hour dispatch for expedited orders; UN3295 (Class 4.1) compliant packaging.

• Price competitiveness: Volume-based tiered pricing with fixed quarterly adjustments; 15–20% below European specialty catalyst distributors for equivalent purity.

• Sustainability: 98% of solvent waste streams recoverable; compatible with heterogeneous anchoring for reuse up to 10 cycles. Rhenium recycling program available – return spent MTO for 30% credit on next purchase.

• Technical support: Dedicated catalyst application engineers; free reaction screening (up to 5 substrates) and in-situ Raman monitoring protocols provided.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): 1 kg (standard grade) / 500 g (high-purity ≥99.9%)

• Bulk loading capacity: 20 MT (metric tons) per standard 20-ft container (net weight – fiber drums on pallets)

• Container utilization: 20 MT per 20-ft container (18 pallets × 4 drums × 278 kg net/drum equivalent; actual density-adjusted packaging)

• Lead time: 2–3 weeks for MOQ; 4–5 weeks for bulk orders ≥5 MT

• Incoterms: EXW (Houston, Rotterdam, Shanghai), FOB, CIF available

• Payment terms: Letter of credit at sight (L/C) for orders >$50k; net 30 days for approved accounts