1. Natural Gas and Refining Industry—Aromatic Extraction Solvent
This represents its primary application. Sulfonic acid lactones, particularly those used in the cyclobutanesulfonic acid method (Sulfinol process) with organic amines such as diisopropanolamine, are extensively employed for:
Natural Gas Desulfurization and Decarbonization: Removing hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from natural gas and refinery gases.
Aromatic Extraction: Efficiently extracting and separating BTX aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylene) from materials like catalytic reforming gasoline and coal tar. Their selectivity and solubility surpass traditional solvents.
2. Chemical Synthesis and Reaction Solvent
High-performance solvent: Due to its high polarity and wide liquid range, it is commonly used as a non-protonic polar solvent in various chemical reactions, particularly in processes requiring high temperatures or special dissolution environments such as polymerization, alkylation, and extraction distillation.
Lithium Battery Electrolyte Additive: Small additions enhance electrolyte stability, improve low-temperature battery performance, and extend cycle life.
Polymer and Plastics Industry: Used as a synthesis solvent for high-performance engineering plastics like polyarylsulfones and polyimides, and for purifying aromatic resins.
3. Electronics Industry
Semiconductor and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Manufacturing: Serves as a photoresist stripper and precision cleaning agent, effectively removing organic residues and particles from silicon wafers or panels with minimal equipment corrosion.
4. Pharmaceutical and Agrochemical Industries
Intermediates and Solvents: Used as intermediates or reaction solvents in synthesizing certain pharmaceuticals or pesticides.
Extraction and Separation: Used for extracting and purifying natural or synthetic products.
5. Other Special Applications
Industrial and Textile Cleaning: Used for cleaning stubborn oil stains, tar, and polymers.
Gas Purification and Separation: Besides acidic gases, it can also be used to separate other gas mixtures.
