# US 11,439,972 B2 · Method for the infrared-light-induced yield optimization of chemical reactions by means of vibration excitation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,972 B2 - Document ID: US11439972B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/389,662 - Filed: 2019-04-19 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-27 - Assignees: Freie UniversitäT Berlin - Applicants: Freie UniversitäT Berlin - Inventors: Karsten Heyne; Florian Kössl; Valeri Kozich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439972B2 ## CPC - B01J 19/128: {Infrared light} - B01J 19/121: {Coherent waves, e.g. laser beams (lasers per se H01S3/00)} - B01J 2219/1203: Incoherent waves - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS ## Abstract A method for the infrared-light-induced yield optimization of chemical reactions is provided. An energy input into at least one starting material that is subjected to a chemical reaction takes place by means of infrared light pulses having a mean wavelength in the range of 2000 to 100000 nm. The chemical reaction here is a reaction in which a product, the molecular formula of which does not correspond to the molecular formula of the starting material, is formed and wherein the yield optimization for the most part is not based on a thermal heating of the starting material. The infrared light pulses have a fixed wavelength and the energy input into the starting material takes place by means of vibration excitation by a one-photon process. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for the infrared-light-induced yield optimization of chemical reactions, wherein: an energy input into at least one starting material that is subjected to a chemical reaction takes place by means of infrared light pulses having a mean wavelength ranging from 2000 to 100000 nm; the chemical reaction is a synthesis reaction in which a product, the molecular formula of which does not correspond to the molecular formula of the starting material and the molar mass of which is greater than the molar mass of the starting material, is formed; the yield optimization for the most part is not based on a thermal heating of the starting material; the infrared light pulses have a fixed wavelength and the energy input into the starting material takes place by means of vibration excitation by a one-photon process; the product, the yield of which is optimized, is an antibiotic, a natural product or a medicine, wherein the chemical reaction is a thermally driven reaction in solution. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein by the vibration excitation of the starting material the yield of a desired product is increased and/or the yield of an undesired product is decreased. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein in a given time interval at least 10% more of a desired product are obtained due to the yield optimization than in the case of a non-yield-optimized execution of the reaction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the infrared light pulses are produced by a non-coherent light source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein infrared light pulses are produced by a laser. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the infrared light pulses have no phase modulation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the infrared light pulses have a spectral width of less than 50 cm−1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the infrared light pulses have a pulse duration of at least 100 fs and 10 ps maximum. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the infrared light pulses first excite a catalyst by means of vibration excitation by a one-photon process, wherein the catalyst thereafter gives off at least a part of the energy transferred onto it to the starting material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the infrared light pulses are absorbed by the starting material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the vibration excitation of the starting material takes place indirectly by intermolecular and/or intramolecular vibration relaxation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein within a time period of up to a nanosecond after an energy absorption a pseudo-temperature is reached in the starting material, which is by at least 30% higher than the temperature in the starting material prior to the energy input by the infrared light pulses. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein multiple superposed infrared light pulses are used, which differ from each other in each case in at least one parameter, particularly regarding their mean wavelength. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein during the vibration excitation at least two molecules of the starting material are associated with each other by physical and/or chemical bonds. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the vibration excitation leads to the formation of an activated complex of at least two molecules of the starting material, from which thereafter the product is produced. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the vibration excitation leads to an acceleration of the chemical reaction in comparison to a reaction without vibration excitation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the yield optimization is initiated under room temperature.