biostudies-literatureAkashige TNCRR NIH HHS2171-2179https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11620280biostudies-literatureUnknown9(8)Olefin-paraffin separation is a critical yet energy-intensive process in the chemical industry, accounting for over 250 trillion BTU/year of global energy consumption. This work explores the use of redox-active nickel maleonitriledithiolate complex for olefin-paraffin separations. Key performance factors, namely the electrochemical oxidation of the complex and the olefin capture utilization fraction, were systematically quantified. Electrochemical studies revealed near-complete oxidation of Ni(II) to Ni(IV) species, suggesting that the electrochemical oxidation step is not a limiting factor in olefin capture. The utilization fraction was found to be strongly dependent on the complexation equilibrium behavior between olefin-bound and unbound state of the complex. Time-resolved kinetic measurements unveiled a sluggish complexation rate, requiring over 36 hours to approach equilibrium. These insights highlight the importance of driving the complexation equilibrium and improving the kinetics to enhance the performance of Ni-based electrochemical swing absorbers for energy-efficient olefin-paraffin separations. The findings lay the groundwork for future optimization strategies and industrial implementation of this sustainable separation technology.Reaction chemistry & engineeringUnderstanding Electrochemically Induced Olefin Complexation: Towards Electrochemical Olefin-Paraffin Separations.PMC11620280C06 RR016572Vemuri RAkashige TBlanco CAUModestino MAfalseUnderstanding Electrochemically Induced Olefin Complexation: Towards Electrochemical Olefin-Paraffin Separations.Olefin-paraffin separation is a critical yet energy-intensive process in the chemical industry, accounting for over 250 trillion BTU/year of global energy consumption. This work explores the use of redox-active nickel maleonitriledithiolate complex for olefin-paraffin separations. Key performance factors, namely the electrochemical oxidation of the complex and the olefin capture utilization fraction, were systematically quantified. Electrochemical studies revealed near-complete oxidation of Ni(II) to Ni(IV) species, suggesting that the electrochemical oxidation step is not a limiting factor in olefin capture. The utilization fraction was found to be strongly dependent on the complexation equilibrium behavior between olefin-bound and unbound state of the complex. Time-resolved kinetic measurements unveiled a sluggish complexation rate, requiring over 36 hours to approach equilibrium. These insights highlight the importance of driving the complexation equilibrium and improving the kinetics to enhance the performance of Ni-based electrochemical swing absorbers for energy-efficient olefin-paraffin separations. The findings lay the groundwork for future optimization strategies and industrial implementation of this sustainable separation technology.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Aug2026-03-18T13:27:06.451Z2025-08-18T09:54:14.509ZS-EPMC116202803965033610.1039/d4re00145a