SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL, STERICALLY HINDERED COBALT(II) SCHIFF- BASE COMPLEXES AS OXYGEN CARRIERS.

THIS PROPOSAL ADDRESSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LIQUID OXYGEN ABSORBENT THAT COULD BE USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH-PURI-TY OXYGEN. WHEN USED IN THE TEMPERATURE-SWING MODE, AND IN CONVENTIONAL GAS/LIQUID CONTACTING EQUIPMENT, THE ABSORBENT COULD PRODUCE HIGH-PURITY OXYGEN (98 TO 99%). IT IS ANTICI CIPATED THAT SUCH A PROCESS WOULD BE COMPETIVE WITH CRYOGEN IC FRACTIONATION FOR THE PRODUCTION OF OXYGEN ON A SCALE OF 100 TONS/DAY (TPD) OR LESS, WITH PRODUCTION COSTS OF LESS THAN $50/TON OF OXYGEN. THE FOCUS OF THE PROPOSAL IS TO PRO DUCE A LIQUID ABSORBENT THAT'S MORE STABLE THAN ANY CURRENT ABSORBENT. THE STRATEGY IS TO BUILD UPON A CLASS OF ABSORB- ENTS ALREADY DEVELOPED AT BEND RESEARCH THAT EXHIBIT EXCEP- TIONAL STABILITY COMPARED WITH OTHER CARRIESRS. THE MAJOR AREA OF WORK INVOLVES THE SYNTHESIS OF SEVERAL INTERMEDI- ATE DIAMINE CPMPOUNDS VIA NOVEL SYNTHETIC ROUTES. THESE INTERMEDIATES WILL THEN BE USED TO FORM OXYGEN CARRIERS USE IN THE LIQUID ABSORBENT. THE GOAL IS TO DEMONSTRATE THE POS SIBILITY OF A ONE-YEAR ABSORBENT LIFE, EXTENDED FROM THE CURRENT LIFE OF 4 TO 6 WEEKS.