Let’s systematically learn about fine chemicals together

Fine chemical industry: It is a general term for the industry that produces fine chemicals, abbreviated as “fine chemicals industry”. The meaning of fine chemicals is still under discussion abroad to this day. Currently, chemical products that possess the following characteristics are generally referred to as fine chemicals, namely: 1. A large variety of products, with rapid updates ； 　　2. Low output, with production mostly occurring in intermittent fashion ； 　　3. Functional or for end-use purposes ； 　　4. Many are composite products, and their performance is determined by formulation and other technical factors ； 　　5. High requirements for product quality ； 　　6. High commerciality, with most being sold under brand names ； 　　7. High technology intensity, requiring continuous technical development of new products and research on application technologies, with an emphasis on technical services ； 　　8. Lower equipment investment ； 　　9. High value-added rate, etc. The scope of fine chemicals varies from country to country, but it can generally be categorized into over 40 industries and fields, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, synthetic dyes, organic pigments, coatings, fragrances and flavors, cosmetics and personal care products, soaps and synthetic detergents, surfactants, printing inks and their additives, adhesives, photosensitive materials, magnetic materials, catalysts, reagents, water treatment agents and polymer flocculants, papermaking additives, leather processing additives, additives for synthetic materials, textile dyes and finishing agents, food additives, feed additives, veterinary drugs, chemicals for oil fields, petroleum additives and refining aids, cement additives, mineral flotation agents, chemicals for casting, metal surface treatment agents, synthetic lubricants and lubricant additives, chemicals for use in automobiles, aromatic deodorants, industrial antiseptics and anti-mold agents, electronic chemicals and materials, functional polymer materials, and biochemical products. With the development of the national economy, the fields of development and application for fine chemicals will continue to expand, and new categories will keep emerging. 　　The term \"fine chemicals\" has been in use for a long time; it originally referred to chemical products with low production volumes, high purity, and high prices, such as pharmaceuticals, dyes, and coatings. However, this meaning has not fully revealed the essence of fine chemicals. In recent years, experts from various countries have developed new perspectives on the definition of fine chemicals. In Europe and the United States, certain chemical substances that are produced in small quantities and manufactured and sold based on their distinct chemical structures are referred to as fine chemicals ； Products with low output, which are processed and formulated to possess specific functions or end-use properties, are known as specialty chemicals. China, Japan, and other countries collectively refer to these two types of products as fine chemicals. Characteristics of fine chemicals There is a wide variety of fine chemicals, including inorganic compounds, organic compounds, polymers, and their complexes. The common characteristics in production technology are as follows: ① There is a large variety of products, and they are updated rapidly; therefore, continuous technical and application development of these products is required, which results in high research and development costs. For example, the research expenses in the pharmaceutical industry often account for 8% to 10% of the sales revenue from drugs. This results in strong technical monopolies and high sales profit margins. ②The product quality is stable; high purity is required for the original material. After blending, it is necessary not only to ensure the physical and chemical properties but also to pay close attention to the performance in use. Various testing methods are often required to conduct different usage tests. These tests have long durations and complex equipment, and many of them involve human safety and environmental impacts. Therefore, there are many regulations and standards for the management of fine chemical products. Such as pharmacopoeias (see the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, the British Pharmacopoeia), regulations on pesticide management, etc. For products that do not meet the requirements, they are often **ordered to make improvements in order to meet the specified standards, or production is prohibited. ③The production process of fine chemicals differs from that of conventional chemicals; it encompasses not only chemical synthesis (or separation and extraction from natural substances) but also formulation processing and commercialization, and is thus composed of two parts. In the chemical synthesis process, basic chemical raw materials are used to produce intermediates, which are then used to manufacture various fine chemicals such as pharmaceuticals, dyes, pesticides, organic pigments, surfactants, and fragrances. The formulation and commercialization processes are the techniques for preparing various products into market-ready forms, and their processing technologies all involve roughly similar unit operations. ④It is mostly produced in small batches on an intermittent basis. Although the production process is lengthy, the scale is small, the investment cost for individual equipment is low, and precise engineering techniques are required. ⑤Products have a strong commercial nature, and competition among users is fierce; therefore, research and production entities must possess comprehensive application technologies to provide technical services to users. 　　The United States, West Germany, and Japan are the most advanced in the world’s fine chemicals industry, with their production volumes ranking first, second, and third in the world respectively. 　　In recent years, the domestic fine chemicals industry has been focusing on one issue: the development trends of fine chemicals in the 21st century. Since the late 1990s, our country has decided to increase investment in high-tech fields such as energy, information technology, biology, and materials. As an industrial sector, chemistry has not been included in the list of areas to be developed prioritarily, and some consider it to be an industry on the decline. But that is not the case. Especially in the field of fine chemicals, due to its special role in the national economy and its close connections with energy, information technology, biochemistry, and materials science, its role in China’s modernization drive will become increasingly important, making it an irreplaceable and essential component. Here, I can tell you with confidence that the fine chemical industry remains a growing sector in China and around the world, with a very bright future ahead.

The Role of Fine Chemicals in the National Economy As we all know, fine chemicals refer to the chemical industry that produces such products; it includes traditional chemical sectors such as pharmaceuticals, dyes, pesticides, coatings, surfactants, catalysts, additives, and chemical reagents. It also encompasses new fields that have emerged over the past 20 years, including food additives, feed additives, chemicals for oil fields, chemicals used in the electronics industry, chemicals for leather processing, functional polymer materials, and materials used in life sciences. China is a country with a large population; the survival and quality of life of over a billion people are closely related to fine chemicals. To increase food production, various efficient and low-toxicity pesticides, plant growth regulators, herbicides, and compound fertilizers are needed ； To combat diseases, various medicines and antibiotics are needed ； The petrochemical industry requires catalysts, surfactants, oil additives, and rubber auxiliaries, among others. The clothing and silk industries require high-quality dyes, textile auxiliaries, and pigments ； Improving the environment and living conditions requires different types of paints and adhesives ； It is reported that a television set is associated with more than 2,000 chemicals, the vast majority of which are specialty chemicals. 　　Precisely because fine chemicals make such a significant contribution to the national economy and people’s livelihoods, they have been designated by our country as strategic priorities for national economic development during the \"Sixth Five-Year Plan\", \"Seventh Five-Year Plan\", \"Eighth Five-Year Plan\" and \"Ninth Five-Year Plan\" periods, and have been treated as one of the seven key projects. Through more than 20 years of effort, China’s fine chemical industry has achieved significant development. At present, the total number of fine chemical enterprises in China has reached over 11,000. Of these, more than 7,000 are engaged in fine chemicals in traditional sectors; among them, there are 1,525 enterprises involved in the production of dyes and pigments, 1,243 enterprises dealing with the processing of pesticides and their formulations, and 4,544 enterprises producing coatings ； There are 3,900 enterprises in the field of fine chemicals in new sectors. The total output value of the fine chemicals industry amounts to 120 billion yuan, of which the output value from fine chemicals in new sectors is between 60 and 70 billion yuan. The production volume of many fine chemical products, such as dyes and pesticides, ranks among the highest in the world. Some fine chemical products are already able to meet domestic demand. 　　The development of fine chemicals has contributed to improvements in the standards of various other industries such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles and dyeing, leather, and papermaking, affecting aspects related to clothing, food, transportation, and daily use; it has also brought economic benefits to these industries. 　　The development of fine chemicals provides a foundation for the advancement of high-tech fields such as biotechnology, information technology, new materials, new energy technologies, and environmental protection. 　　The development of fine chemicals directly provides catalysts, additives, specialty gases, specialty materials (for corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, and solvent resistance), flame retardants, membrane materials, various additives, industrial surfactants, and chemicals for environmental protection for the production and processing of the three major synthetic materials derived from petroleum and petrochemicals – plastics, rubber, and fibers – as well as for the production of agricultural chemicals. This contributes to and promotes the growth of the petroleum and chemical industries. 　　The development of fine chemicals has increased the level of processing in the chemical industry, thereby enhancing the economic efficiency of large oil companies and large chemical firms. 　　The development of fine chemicals has improved the overall economic efficiency of the chemical industry in **, thereby strengthening **’s economic strength. 　　Today, fine chemicals have become one of the strategic priorities in the development of the global chemical industry, as well as one of the focal points of intense competition within this industry. Therefore, the **Economic and Trade Commission stated in the outline of the industrial structure adjustment plan for the 10th Five-Year Plan that the development of the chemical industry should focus on \"fertilizers, pesticides, and fine chemicals\". Fertilizers and pesticides are directly related to food production; therefore, the fine chemical industry is just as important as food production. It must be based domestically and cannot rely on foreign sources – it is an essential economic sector that is crucial for the country’s economy and people’s livelihoods.

The current development status of the fine chemical industry at home and abroad. According to statistics, 17 chemical companies are among the world’s top 500 companies; the leading ones include DuPont in the United States, BASF in Germany, Hoechst, and Bayer, as well as Dow in the United States and Covestro in Switzerland. They all have a history of over a hundred years; before the 1970s, they focused heavily on petrochemical industries, but later gradually shifted to fine chemical industries. Germany was the first ** to develop fine chemicals. They started out with coal chemical industry; before the 1950s, about 80% of their products were made from materials derived from coal chemistry. However, due to the poor efficiency and process limitations of coal chemical methods, the proportion of chemical products made from petroleum rose sharply after 1970, reaching over 80%. 　　DuPont is the world’s largest chemical company, founded in 1802. It began to shift significantly from the petrochemical industry to the fine chemical industry after 1980; it started later than Germany and Japan, but has developed at a rapid pace. Aiming to improve the quality of its conventional products, reduce costs, and enhance market competitiveness, the company has expanded the production of specialty chemicals since the 1980s, focusing on the manufacture of fine chemical products such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, special polymers, and composite materials. The company’s long-term goal is to develop products in the field of life sciences, including health supplements, drugs for cancer treatment and anti-aging purposes, as well as biomimetic medical products. In 1995, the company’s profits amounted to 3.3 billion dollars. 　　Dow Chemical Company was founded in 1897. In the late 1970s, through structural adjustments to its product portfolio, it strengthened production of pharmaceuticals and various engineering polymers, particularly excelling in automotive coatings and adhesives. In 1973, the company’s output value from fine chemicals was only $540 million, with a share of 18% in the fine chemicals sector; this figure rose sharply to 50% by 1996. In the early 1990s, the total output value was 20 billion dollars, of which the output value from fine chemicals accounted for 11 billion dollars. 　　BASF, Hoechst, and Bayer are the three pillars of Germany’s chemical industry. They mainly use methods such as mergers, transfers, and sales to increase investment, rely on their technical strength to carry out their core business, and strive to raise the proportion of this core business as well as the market share of their key products. Efforts are focused on developing high-tech fields such as health and pharmaceutical products, agricultural chemicals, electronic chemicals, medical diagnostic supplies, information and imaging products, chemicals for aerospace use, and new materials, **which has increased the technological level and economic efficiency of fine chemical products. Products such as BASF’s coatings and photosensitive resins, which are among its distinctive offerings, saw their share of total sales rise from 11% in 1980 to 30% in 1995. The company’s turnover in 1994 was 46.2 billion marks; Hearst’s turnover in 1996 was 52.1 billion marks, while Bayer’s turnover in 1994 was 26.7 billion dollars. They all attach great importance to the development of high-tech technologies. By the end of 1995, Bayer had obtained 155,000 patents and 24,000 products; its flagship product in the pharmaceutical industry, aspirin, has a history of a hundred years. 　　Swiss company Syngenta is a world-renowned manufacturer of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, dyes, additives, cosmetics, detergents, and adhesives for aerospace use. It is the only large enterprise in the world that relies entirely on purchased raw materials to produce fine chemicals. In 1994, its turnover was 16.1 billion dollars, and its share in the fine chemicals sector was the highest in the world, at over 80%. 　　Developed countries **continuously adjust the structure of their chemical industry products based on economic efficiency and development needs, as well as market, environmental, and resource considerations. The focus of this transformation lies in the field of fine chemicals, and the development of such chemicals has become a global trend. In 1991, the global sales volume of fine chemicals exceeded 40 billion dollars, with Western Europe, the United States, and Japan being the main markets. In the early 1990s, the rate of advanced **fine chemical production was around 55%, rising to 60% by the end of the decade. The development speed of fine chemicals has always been higher than that of other industries. Taking the United States as an example, in the late 1980s the industrial growth rate was 2.9%, while that of the fine chemical industry was as high as 5%. Their main goal for development is to expand the production of specialty products, such as pharmaceuticals and health products, electronic chemicals, special polymers, and composite materials, while also making significant efforts in the field of life science-related products, including anticancer drugs, biomimetic medical products, pollution-free and highly effective herbicides, fungicides, and so on. 　　Since we set fine chemicals as a key development goal in the 1980s, we have provided policy support, enabling rapid progress in this field. “During the Eighth Five-Year Plan period, 10 fine chemical technology development centers were established, with an annual production capacity of over 8 million tons. There are approximately tens of thousands of different product types, and the annual output value reaches 90 billion yuan; thus, a solid foundation has been laid. By the end of the 20th century, the level of fine chemical production reached 35%. This is quite different compared to developed countries abroad. For the electronics industry alone, they need 16,000 different types of specialty chemicals, and color TVs require over 7,000 such chemicals; the domestic coverage rate for these products is less than 20%, with the rest having to be imported. There is a greater shortage in other areas such as fabric finishing agents and leather coatings. Furthermore, in terms of the quality, variety, technical level, equipment, and experience related to fine chemical products in our country, these aspects are not sufficient to meet the needs of many industries.

Opportunities for the fine chemical industry The fine chemical industry is closely linked to people’s daily lives; it is as important as food production and is related to ** safety. Therefore, fine chemicals are one of China’s pillar industries. At the beginning of the new century, fine chemicals were listed by the **Economic and Trade Commission as one of the key areas for development. This is one of the good opportunities facing the fine chemical industry. 　　Fine chemical production mainly involves chemicals that are characterized by new technologies, rapid product replacement, high technical specificity, strong monopolies, complex manufacturing processes, precise separation and purification, high technology intensity, relatively small production volumes, high added value, as well as functional and specialized properties. Many experts and scholars at home and abroad consider fine chemicals in the 21st century to be high-tech industries. In high-tech parks abroad, such as the Les Ulis high-tech park in the southwest suburbs of Paris, France, there are many fine chemical companies. The same is true in the domestic market as well. There are numerous fine chemical enterprises in the high-tech development zones of cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. Any high-tech enterprise can enjoy preferential conditions in various areas such as policies, financing, foreign trade, land acquisition, and employment. This is another good opportunity facing the fine chemical industry. 　　Currently, structural adjustments in industries are taking place worldwide. As environmental protection requirements continue to rise, the industrially developed countries of the European Community, the United States, and Japan have gradually moved many chemical manufacturing enterprises to developing countries. Although they attempt to shift pollution, they have indeed moved a certain amount of highly technical fine chemicals production abroad, and this trend is continuing to grow. From the perspective of the world economic landscape, the regions that can accommodate such a shift are mainly Asia, South America, and Africa. Due to Africa’s economic and technological backwardness, it is unable to bear such a transfer. The South American economic cooperation zone, led by Brazil, although it has certain foundations in terms of economy, technology, and resources, faces political instability and economic challenges that deter foreign investors. Asian economies are developing at a rapid pace, particularly in East and South Asia, where abundant natural and human resources exist, and the economic and technological levels have reached a considerable level. Among them, the ten ASEAN countries have cheap labor, while China and India are the most competitive. Due to China’s stable political situation, favorable policies, large market size, and focused efforts on economic development, 20 years of reform and opening up have laid a solid foundation; as a result, China is in a better position than India. According to statistics from 1995, there were nearly 20,000 chemical enterprises in China operated by foreign investors, of which 2,206 were in the field of fine chemicals. 　　With the development of high-tech in the world and in our country, many such technologies as nanotechnology, information technology, modern biotechnology, modern separation techniques, and green chemistry will integrate with fine chemical industry. The fine chemical industry serves these high-tech fields, while at the same time high-tech further transforms the fine chemical industry, expanding the application areas of its products and making them more sophisticated, refined, composite, and functional, thus driving progress toward high-tech fine chemicals. Therefore, the positive interaction among various high-tech technologies represents the fourth major opportunity for the fine chemical industry. 　　Faced with such four favorable opportunities, it is no wonder that China’s experts, scholars, and insightful individuals unanimously agree that the fine chemical industry is undoubtedly a sunrise industry in China with a bright future. 　　The progress of the industry and the development of enterprises rely on outstanding professional talents. This provides our students with a platform to showcase their talents. In fact, the annual employment rate for graduates of our fine chemicals major exceeds 95%. Many fine chemical companies from within and outside the province have come to our school asking for information on or to recruit graduates in fine chemistry. Given the large number of fine chemical enterprises in society, the good economic performance of these enterprises, the huge potential for both exports and the domestic market for fine chemical products, as well as the broad prospects for the development of such products, there is a great demand for graduates with expertise in fine chemistry. In the foreseeable future, there will be basically no employment problems. Development directions of fine chemicals: According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines, and based on the level of technological intensity, the automotive, machinery, non-ferrous metallurgy, and chemical industries are considered medium-technology industries. High-tech and its related industries are specific fields defined by their high level of research and development, such as aerospace, the information industry, and pharmaceuticals. Fine chemicals, as a branch of the chemical industry, generally fall under the category of medium-tech, but high-performance new chemical materials, pharmaceuticals, and biochemicals, which are considered fine chemicals, belong to the category of high-tech. The 21st century is an era of the knowledge economy, and a new technological revolution driven by three cutting-edge sciences—biotechnology, information science, and new materials science—will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the chemical industry. The development trend of traditional industries such as fine chemicals is inevitably to increasingly rely on technical expertise, while also complementing high-tech technologies. 　　1. The integration of nanotechnology and fine chemical engineering 　　Nanotechnology refers to the science and technology that studies the behavior and interactions of systems composed of materials with sizes ranging from 0.1 to 100 nm, as well as the technical challenges associated with their potential practical applications. Nanotechnology is one of the key elements of the technological revolution in the 21st century. It is an interdisciplinary field that intersects significantly with disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and electronics. It includes basic sciences focused on observation, analysis, and research, as well as technical sciences centered on nanoelectronics and processing. It is undeniable that nanoscience and technology represent a comprehensive system that integrates the frontiers of science with high-tech. Nanotechnology mainly includes technical fields such as nanoelectronics, nanomechanics, and nanomaterials. Just as microelectronics and computer technology were in the 20th century, nanotechnology will be one of the emerging technologies of the 21st century. Research and application of it will surely bring about another technological revolution. 　　Due to properties such as quantum size effects, small-size effects, surface effects, and macroscopic quantum tunneling effects, nanomaterials exhibit significantly superior thermomagnetic, optical, and sensitive characteristics, as well as improved surface stability, diffusion and sintering properties, and mechanical strength compared to ordinary particles. Therefore, nanomaterials have extremely wide applications in the field of fine chemicals. This is manifested in the following aspects: (1) Nanopolymers are used to manufacture foam materials with high strength-to-weight ratios, transparent insulating materials, laser-doped transparent foam materials, high-strength fibers, high-surface-area adsorbents, ion exchange resins, filters, gels, and porous electrodes. 　　(2) Nanotechnology in daily chemicals: Nanotechnology applied to daily chemicals and cosmetics, as well as nanopigments, nanographic films, and nanoscale fine chemical materials, will take us to a world filled with colors. Recently, the research department of the American company Kodak successfully developed a new type of nanopowder that possesses both pigment and molecular dye properties, which is expected to bring about a revolutionary change in color imaging. 　　(3) Adhesives and sealants: Abroad, nanomaterials such as nano-SiO2 have been added as additives to adhesives and sealants, thereby **improving** both the bonding strength of adhesives and the sealing performance of sealants. Its mechanism of action involves coating the surface of nano SiO2 with an organic material to endow it with hydrophilicity. When added to sealants, it quickly forms a silica structure; in other words, the nano SiO2 creates a network structure that restricts the flow of the adhesive, accelerating its solidification and thereby improving the bonding effect. The small size of these particles further enhances the sealing properties of the adhesive. Xiaomu Chong Academic BlogM oe {%|*LW 　　(4) Coatings: Adding nano-SiO2 to various types of coatings can increase their resistance to aging, their smoothness, and their strength by a factor of several, thereby improving the quality and grade of these coatings. Since nano SiO2 is a material that resists ultraviolet radiation (i.e., it prevents aging), and its extremely small particles have a large specific surface area, it can quickly form a network structure as the paint dries, thereby increasing the strength and smoothness of the paint. Xiaomu Chong Academic Blog 1N&Y/Pi
[V.A 　　(5) Efficient oxidizers: Adding nano-nickel powder to the solid fuel propellants used in rockets can significantly increase the heat of combustion and combustion efficiency, as well as improve the stability of the combustion process. Nanotechnology **will** increase the power by a thousand times ； 　　(6) The hydrogen storage materials FeTi and Mg2Ni are important candidate alloys for hydrogen storage; they absorb hydrogen slowly and must be activated, that is, through multiple hydrogen absorption–desorption cycles. Zaluski et al. directly formed Mg2Ni by ball-milling Mg and Ni powders, with an average grain size of 20–30 nm; its hydrogen absorption capacity was much better than that of conventional polycrystalline materials. Hydrogen absorption by ordinary polycrystalline Mg2Ni can only occur at high temperatures (when PH2≤20 Pa, T≥250°C); hydrogen absorption at low temperatures requires a long time and high hydrogen pressure ； Nanocrystalline Mg2Ni can absorb hydrogen at temperatures below 200°C without the need for activation treatment. After the first hydrogenation cycle at 300°C, the hydrogen content can reach ~3.4%. During the subsequent cycles, hydrogen absorption is 4 times faster than that of ordinary polycrystalline materials. The hydrogen absorption activation performance of nanocrystalline FeTi is significantly better than that of conventional polycrystalline materials. The activation process for ordinary polycrystalline FeTi involves heating to 400–450°C in a vacuum, followed by annealing in H2 at around 7 Pa, cooling to room temperature, and then exposing it to hydrogen at a higher pressure (35–65 Pa). This activation process needs to be repeated several times. The nanocrystalline FeTi formed by ball milling only requires an annealing process in a vacuum at 400°C for 0.5 h to complete all hydrogen absorption cycles. Nanocrystalline FeTi alloys consist of nanocrystals and highly disordered grain boundary regions (accounting for about 20%–30% of the material). 　　(7) Catalyst In catalyst materials, the active sites for reactions can be cluster atoms on the surface, or another substance adsorbed on the surface. These positions are closely related to the surface structure, lattice defects, and the edges and corners of the crystal. Since nanocrystalline materials can provide a large number of catalytically active sites, they are highly suitable as catalytic materials. In fact, decades before the term \"nanomaterials\" came into use, many catalytic materials with nanoscale structures already existed. Typical examples include catalysts consisting of metal nanoparticles such as Rh/Al2O3 and Pt/C supported on inert substances, which have been applied in various fields such as petrochemical industry, fine chemical industry, and automobile exhaust treatment. In the chemical industry, the use of nanoparticles as catalysts is another area where nanomaterials demonstrate their great utility. Ultra-fine boron powder and ammonium perchlorate powder can serve as effective catalysts for ** ； Ultra-fine platinum powder and tungsten carbide powder are highly efficient hydrogenation catalysts ； Ultra-fine silver powder can serve as a catalyst for the oxidation of ethylene ； Copper and its alloy nanopowders are used as catalysts, offering high efficiency and strong selectivity; they can be employed as catalysts in reactions such as the synthesis of methanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen ； Nanonickele powder possesses a highly strong catalytic effect and can be used in organic hydrogenation reactions, automotive exhaust treatment, and more. 　　Hirai et al. prepared Pd-colloidal ultrafine particles loaded with polyvinylpyrrolidone (with an average particle size of 1.8 nm) using a colloid method, for catalyzing the following reactions: It was found that their activity was 2–3 times higher than that of conventional Pd catalysts, with a selectivity of almost 100%. 　　Higher catalytic activity and selectivity can also be achieved by using two or more types of osmium metal ultramicroparticles or alloys as catalysts. For example, amorphous Ni-B nanocatalysts prepared by chemical reduction methods for catalyzing the atmospheric-pressure liquid-phase hydrogenation of cyclopentadiene, as well as Co-Mn/SiO2 nanocomposite catalysts for catalyzing the hydrogenation of ethylene, both exhibit excellent catalytic performance. By mixing metal nanoparticles such as Ni, Co, and Fe with TiO2-γ-Al2O3, shaping them, and calcining them, these materials can be used for the purification of vehicle exhaust gases. Their activity is similar to that of ternary Pt-group catalysts, and their activity remains unchanged after 100 hours of operation at 600 °C.

The integration of modern biochemical engineering and fine chemical engineering Biochemical engineering is considered an interdisciplinary field that combines biology and chemical engineering. Although biochemistry in our country has developed gradually over thousands of years, starting from activities such as winemaking, soy sauce production, and vinegar making, traditional biochemical applications were limited to the food industry, such as brewing, and to the pharmaceutical industry, for the production of vitamins (such as vitamin B and vitamin C) and antibiotics (such as penicillin and streptomycin), as well as biological pesticides like jinggangmycin (used to control rice blast) and qingfengmycin (used to prevent rice blast). However, since the 1980s, with the development and application of microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, cytology, molecular biology, along with modern experimental techniques, electronic technology, and computer technology, biotechnology has seen tremendous progress. Building on traditional biotechnological methods, modern biotechnological techniques such as gene recombination, cell fusion, large-scale cell culture, and bioreaction technologies have been developed; these techniques are now being applied in various fields such as medicine, food, chemicals, metallurgy, energy, healthcare, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, as well as environmental protection and monitoring, thereby providing goods and services to humanity and society. In recent years, biochemistry has gained an increasing importance within biotechnology, with biotechnology shifting from traditional medicine and agriculture toward biochemistry. 　　Compared to the traditional chemical industry, biochemistry has the following characteristics: a. It primarily uses renewable resources as its raw materials. 　　b. The reaction conditions are mild, usually at room temperature and pressure; it requires low energy consumption, offers good selectivity, and is efficient. 　　c. Less environmental pollution. 　　d. The equipment is simple, with low investment requirements. 　　e. It is capable of producing compounds with excellent properties that cannot be manufactured at present or are not yet known, as well as developing and producing new varieties. 　　f. It has a high atom economy, making it an ideal green chemistry technology. 　　Traditional biochemistry focuses on the processing of biological resources, using fermentation to produce many useful products. Such as monosodium glutamate, alcohol, amino acids, etc. Today, bioprocess technology is widely applied in fields such as pharmaceuticals, food, basic organic chemical raw materials, and biopesticides. With the development of modern biotechnology, based on genetic engineering and centered on microbial engineering, organisms are quantitatively modified and utilized at the molecular and cellular levels, enabling fine chemicals such as vitamins, hormones, vaccines, biopesticides, biosurfactants, acrylamide, and organic acids to reach new levels of quality. 　　(1) Vitamins 　Vitamins are trace organic substances essential for the normal growth and metabolism of organisms. Humans and higher animals cannot synthesize vitamins on their own and must obtain them from external sources. Once it cannot be absorbed, it will lead to vitamin deficiency and illness. Vitamins not only have therapeutic effects but also health benefits; their use in fields such as food, feed, and cosmetics is increasing, which gives them excellent prospects for development. The main vitamins that have seen development include VC, VA, VE, VB1, VB6, niacin, and calcium pantothenate. 　　For example, vitamin E is also known as alpha-tocopherol; its molecular formula is C29H50O2, with a molecular weight of 430.72. Vitamin E has 7 isomers, among which alpha has the highest activity, beta has intermediate activity, and delta has the lowest activity. Vitamin E has an impact on the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Clinically, it is used to treat miscarriages and muscular atrophy. Recent studies have shown that vitamin E has certain therapeutic effects on diseases such as arteriosclerosis, anemia, encephalomalacia, liver disease, and cancer. 　　Depending on the type of plant used as the raw material, the main isomers of natural vitamin E also vary. For example, wheat oil in the United States is primarily composed of the α isomer, while soybean oil is mainly composed of the δ isomer. Vitamin E can be prepared by using wheat germ oil or soybean oil as raw materials; the deodorized distillate is subjected to molecular distillation, and the fraction below 240°C is collected. This fraction is dissolved in propane, cooled, and defatted of sterols. Subsequent saponification is carried out using potassium hydroxide and ethanol, after which the unsaponifiables are extracted with ether. Further molecular distillation and concentration yield a concentrate of vitamin E. 　　Vitamin E is synthesized chemically by reacting 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone with phytol in a solvent using a condensing agent: 　　Condensing agent 　　α-Vitamin E β-Vitamin E 　　Solvent 　　(2) Biopesticides 　　Chemical pesticides are the most commonly used in agricultural production; they kill insects and eliminate microorganisms, thereby ensuring good crop yields. The benefits brought by them are self-evident. But at the same time, it inevitably harms beneficial organisms, remains in agricultural products, and pollutes the environment, causing ecological damage. To overcome these drawbacks of chemical pesticides, the research and development of biological pesticides have seen rapid progress. 　　Biopesticides, also known as microbial pesticides, have many advantages: they are specific in their action, targeting only the pests, pathogens, or weeds of interest, without causing harm to humans, animals, or other organisms ； It is easily degraded, does not cause cumulative toxicity, and is safe for the environment ； The target organism does not develop resistance. Its disadvantages are that its efficacy is not as good as that of chemical pesticides, the production cost is high, and strict usage requirements apply. The adverse factors in the development of these biopesticides have resulted in a low share of biopesticides in the pesticide market. Over the past 20 years, biopesticide technology has seen new developments, not only improving their performance and expanding their range of applications but also introducing new varieties. Especially after foreign genes were first introduced into plants in 1983, genetic engineering was used to develop genetically engineered crops with traits such as insect resistance, disease resistance, and herbicide resistance; these crops were successfully created one after another, thereby expanding the field of biological pesticides and promoting their further development. 　　Biopesticides can be divided into traditional biopesticides, genetically engineered biopesticides, and genetically engineered crops. 　　Traditional biopesticides refer to formulations that use microorganisms themselves or their metabolites to control diseases, pests, and weeds in crops. It includes microbial insecticides, herbicides, and agricultural antibiotics. Microbial insecticides include bacterial insecticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus lactis, fungal insecticides such as Beauveria, and viral insecticides. Agricultural antibiotics include antifungals, antibacterials, acaricides, and herbicides, among others. Japan began using thiram in 1958; currently, there are 11 types of biological pesticides used in agriculture, such as kasugamycin for controlling rice blast, validamycin for combating rice sheath blight, and acaricin for dealing with mites on fruit trees. Traditional biological pesticides in our country include jinggangmycin and 920, among others. 　　Genetically engineered biological pesticides refer to biological pesticides obtained by modifying microorganisms using genetic engineering methods such as gene cloning and DNA recombination. The most extensively studied are the genetically engineered insecticides developed using the insecticidal toxin gene of Bacillus thuringiensis—the BT gene. For example, the two microencapsulated genetically engineered insecticides MVP and M-one Plus, introduced by the U.S.-based company Mycogen in 1993, overcame the drawbacks of conventional Bacillus thuringiensis, such as its easy degradation in the environment and short residual effect; their efficacy is 2 to 5 times greater than that of conventional Bacillus thuringiensis. Scientists introduced the insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis gene into Pseudomonas fluorescens to enable it to produce insecticidal toxins, and then used a process to stabilize the cell wall by forming a biological capsule around the toxic proteins, thereby preventing their degradation in the environment. This insecticide is made up of dead bacteria that do not reproduce, making it safe for the environment. MVP is mainly used to control the cabbage looper and other caterpillars in cabbages and cauliflower. M-one Plus is mainly used for potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, etc. 　　Genetically engineered crops are created through plant biotechnology by introducing various trait genes, such as those for insect resistance, herbicide resistance, and improved nutrient content, into plant cells or tissues, thereby developing crops with various superior characteristics. The development and commercialization of genetically engineered crops will **reduce the use of chemical pesticides. For example, insect-resistant crops endow the crops themselves with insecticidal properties. Herbicide-resistant crops possess the ability to resist such herbicides; they are not damaged when this non-selective herbicide is used, while other plants like weeds are killed. 　　The development of biological pesticides in our country is also progressing rapidly. The bacterial insecticides produced and used mainly include several variants of the Bacillus genus: Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana, Isaria fumarii, and Bacillus mandarinianus, which are broad-spectrum insecticidal bacteria. Viral insecticides developed in the 1970s are more effective and exhibit greater selectivity in killing insects. Moth nucleopolyhedrovirus and cotton bollworm nucleopolyhedrovirus have been applied in production one after another. The main agricultural antibiotics used in our country include kasugamycin, thiram, qingfengmycin (used to control rice blast), jinggangmycin (used to control rice blast and other diseases), streptomycin (used to treat bacterial diseases in fruit trees and vegetables), and oxytetracycline (used to control wheat rust). 　　Great progress has also been made in the research on disease- and insect-resistant genetically modified plants in our country. Synthetically produced Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein (BT) genes have been successfully transferred into cotton, resulting in 13 transgenic cotton strains with an insect resistance level of over 80%. Wheat varieties resistant to powdery mildew, gibberellin, and yellow dwarf disease have been developed using cell engineering and transgenic technology, and these genes have been introduced into common wheat. Researcher Wang Dannian from the China National Rice Research Institute used a gene gun to introduce the herbicide-resistant gene Bar into direct-seeded rice varieties, thereby developing excellent strains of herbicide-resistant direct-seeded rice. By combining the use of the herbicide Basta with cultivation in paddy fields, the main weeds and wild rice plants were killed, while the genetically modified rice remained unharmed, achieving time and labor savings. 　　(3) Bio-surfactants Bio-surfactants are essential components for the normal physiological functions of cells and biological membranes, and they are widely present in animals and plants. Compared to chemically synthesized surfactants, bio-surfactants have lower toxicity, can be naturally biodegraded, possess high surface activity, and are environmentally safe. It also has the structural characteristics of hydrophilic and lipophilic groups. Its hydrophilic groups are sugars, polyols, polysaccharides, and peptides, while its hydrophobic groups are fatty acids and hydrocarbons. Based on their hydrophilic group structure, biosurfactants can be divided into six categories: (1) glycolipid-based, (2) acylamino acid-based, (3) phospholipid-based, (4) fatty acid-based, (5) polymer biosurfactants that incorporate polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, and (6) the cell surface itself. 　　Biological surfactants can be prepared through two methods: a. Extraction from living organisms. In ancient China, soapberry was used, while the ancient Egyptians employed soap grass to extract soap for washing clothes; these are examples of the use of natural biological surfactants. Today, humans are able to extract phospholipids and lecithin-based biosurfactants from egg yolks as well as the oils and residues of soybeans, and they are widely used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. For those biosurfactants that are relatively easy to separate, abundant in quantity, and produced in large amounts, they can be directly extracted from living organisms. 　　b. Prepared by microorganisms 　　Biological surfactants can be prepared through the fermentation of renewable substrates. Many microorganisms, such as bacteria, yeasts, and fungi, can produce biosurfactants. The type of surfactant produced in the culture medium is related not only to the type of microorganism but also to the fermentation substrate used. Adding hydrocarbon compounds to the culture medium can affect the yield of biosurfactants.

The significance of fine chemicals: Fine chemicals are closely related to industry and agriculture, national defense, people’s daily lives, and cutting-edge sciences. They represent an important industrial sector that is closely linked to economic development and people’s livelihoods, and they are one of the strategic focus areas for the development of the chemical industry. The two world oil crises in the 1970s forced countries to make strategic decisions aimed at refining their chemical industries. This shows that developing the fine chemical industry is a strategic measure related to the nation’s economy and people’s well-being. 　　The value ratio of fine chemicals (the degree of refinement) = (Total value of fine chemical products / Total value of chemical products) × 100%. In the United States, this ratio increased from 40% in the 1970s to 53% in the 1990s; in Germany it rose from 38.4% to 56%, while in Japan it reached 57%. It is estimated that in the 21st century, the degree of refinement in developed countries could reach 60% to 65%. In our country, this figure is currently only 28%, which results in a considerable amount of specialty chemicals needed for the petrochemical industry and various other industries having to be imported, costing billions of dollars in foreign exchange each year. It is evident how important the development of fine chemicals is for the construction of our national economy. 　　Next, we will examine the significance of fine chemicals in the national economy from several aspects. 　　1.4.1 The relationship between fine chemicals and agriculture Agriculture is a vital component of the national economy, and efficient agriculture has become the main trend in agricultural development around the world today. Efficient agriculture requires efficient pesticides, veterinary drugs, feed additives, fertilizers, and trace elements. Just in terms of pesticides, they include a variety of insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, herbicides, plant growth regulators, and biological pesticides. Globally, food losses due to pests and diseases each year account for more than one-third of the potential harvest. The benefits obtained from using pesticides are more than 5 times the cost of the pesticides. The benefits of using herbicides can be 10 times those of physical weeding. Vet drugs and feed additives can help livestock suffer fewer illnesses, grow faster, achieve higher yields, and generate greater economic benefits. 　　1.4.2 The Relationship between Fine Chemicals, Light Industry, and People’s Lives In today’s society, people’s living standards are rising, and their needs are increasing day by day. From basic necessities of life in the past to many high-end consumer goods today. All kinds of supplies are required to be highly efficient, of high quality, and at low prices. Just in the category of cosmetics alone, the variety available is incredibly extensive and diverse. There are countless options such as beauty treatments, skin care products, hair dyes, deodorants, sunscreens, hair growth products, face masks, creams, powders, ointments, face oils, hand creams, products for morning use, products for evening use, and daily necessities. Personal hygiene products also compete in terms of appearance. In the past, there were only a few types of cleaning products such as soap and laundry detergent; now there are many more. Examples of household cleaning agents include: dishwashing detergents, cleaners for range hoods and kitchen appliances, glass cleaners, carpet cleaners, and so on. There are also deodorants for use in refrigerators, bathrooms, shoes, etc., as well as household air fresheners. Surfactants for various applications are among the most important and widely used substances in the fine chemical industry. The various spices, fragrances, food additives, as well as the numerous auxiliaries used in the leather industry, papermaking industry, and textile dyeing industry are even more countless. In short, light industry and everyday household items represent a large market for fine chemicals. 　　1.4.3 The relationship between fine chemicals and the military and high-tech industries: **In engineering, high-altitude, underwater, and other special environments, materials with various properties and functions are required. High-temperature and high-strength structural materials required in various environments such as space rockets, aircraft and space shuttles, atomic reactors, operations under high temperature and pressure, and energy development. From a functional perspective, various ones have thermal, mechanical, and magnetic properties. Functional materials such as electronics, electricity, optics, chemistry, and biology are all related to fine chemicals. 　　In the aviation industry, for example, the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks used in giant rockets are made of multi-layer insulation materials; these materials are difficult to join using mechanical methods, so polyurethane-based and epoxy-nylon-based ultra-low temperature adhesives are used for bonding them. The honeycomb structures used in large Boeing-type airliners, as well as fiberglass and metal skin structures, also rely on adhesives. 　　The compounding of materials allows their individual advantages to be combined, thereby meeting the requirements of many specialized applications. Following glass fiber reinforced plastics, reinforced lightweight plastic composites made from carbon fiber, boron fiber, and polyaramid fiber have been developed. In aerospace applications, there is a particular need for such lightweight, high-strength, and heat-resistant materials. In the past, the throat of rocket nozzles was made of graphite, but as rockets became larger, it became difficult to use graphite for this purpose. As a result, heat-resistant composite materials with lower densities were developed; for example, phenolic resin reinforced with carbon fibers or high-silica fibers was used as the throat lining, while glass fiber reinforced plastics were used for the structural components. The combustion chambers of the Apollo spacecraft’s landing engines in the United States used these composite materials. 　　1.5 Key Areas of Development and Trends in Fine Chemicals 　1.5.1 Strategic Objectives for the Development of Fine Chemicals: Research and Development in High-Tech Fields Countries around the world are currently making significant efforts to develop fine chemicals, which has enabled the entire chemical industry to make substantial progress in the direction of high precision and sophistication. The relevant new technology fields include: various new types of chemical materials (functional polymer materials, composite materials), new energy sources, electronic information technology, biotechnology (including fermentation technology, enzyme technology, cell fusion technology, gene recombination technology, etc.), aerospace technology, and marine development technology. 　　In recent years, our country has also achieved considerable success in the development, production, and application of fine chemicals. The technical workforce in research, design, and production management is growing rapidly and is quite strong, but this can only be regarded as a starting point for future development. Since the level of refinement in our country is not high, aspects such as varieties, technology, and quality lag behind those in developed countries; this results in high energy consumption, poor quality, and a limited range of varieties. Neither the variety selection, quality, nor technological level meets the needs of various industries, which is why large amounts are imported each year. Therefore, the task of developing fine chemicals in our country in the future remains very arduous. 　　1.5.2 Replacement of traditional bulk fine chemicals The focus of the chemical pesticide industry is on developing new products that are efficient, safe, and cost-effective. Such as pesticides, fungicides, etc. Recently, the focus has been on the production of new formulations and dosage forms, in order to meet the agricultural sector’s demand for products in various forms. In the long term, there are limited options for developing new active ingredients. 　　The dye industry focuses on developing reactive dyes, disperse dyes, reduction dyes, and other types of dyes that are in high demand for textile printing and dyeing ； As well as high-quality organic pigments and additives for coatings, inks, and plastic processing. Recently, the focus has been on developing post-processing technologies through external introduction and internal grafting methods. 　　The coating industry focuses on developing high-quality coatings that meet the needs of construction, automotive, electrical equipment, and transportation sectors (ships, road signs), as well as furniture manufacturing; it also works to address corrosion problems in harsh conditions, with an emphasis on developing new types of coatings that are low in pollution and energy-efficient. The main types include water-based coatings, high-solid-content coatings, powder coatings, and UV-curable coatings ； At the same time, emphasis is placed on the development of inorganic pigments for coatings, as well as the corresponding resins, additives, fillers, and solvents. 　　The adhesive industry focuses on developing low-toxicity (or non-toxic) adhesives that cure at moderate to low temperatures, as well as high-strength and weather-resistant varieties. It also aims to create new functional types of adhesives, with particular emphasis on developing adhesives for use in shoes. 　　Special emphasis should be placed on research into separation and purification technologies for chemical reagents, with vigorous efforts focused on the development of various types of reagents, in order to create product lines consisting of ultra-pure and high-purity reagents, reagents for bioengineering, reagents for clinical diagnosis, and reagents for organic synthesis. 　　Photographic materials and magnetic recording materials should aim for world-class standards, following a path of first imitating and then innovating. Photographic chemical materials should focus on the localization of Kodak and Fuji color film developing kits, building upon the various existing developing solutions available ； Photochemical materials focus on high-purity silver nitrate (for color film) ； Magnetic recording materials need to develop internationally competitive products for export and revenue generation, while also completing the range of digital magnetic recording products, and strengthening research and development efforts in this field by establishing corresponding R&D centers. 　　1.5.3 Key Technologies for Prioritized Development By drawing on the advancements in chemical technology abroad and taking into account China’s actual development conditions, the following key technologies should be given priority in future development, in order to drive progress in the entire fine chemicals industry and related technologies. 　　1.5.3 .1 New catalytic technologies Synthetic reactions form the basis for the production of fine chemical products, and chemical manufacturing processes are closely related to new catalytic technologies. The focus of new catalytic technologies is on developing membrane catalysts, rare earth complex catalysts, zeolite-selective catalysts, solid superacid catalysts, etc., which can promote the development of the petrochemical industry. Additionally, special technologies such as phase-transfer catalysis, stereoselective synthesis, and immobilized enzyme fermentation techniques are being developed, as they are closely related to the creation of new products in the fine chemical sector. Strengthen research and application at industrial scale, as well as the development of technical capabilities such as reactor scaling and manufacturing to accommodate new types of catalysts. To enable the design and development of a number of highly efficient catalysts with high activity, high selectivity, stereoselectivity, good stability, and long lifespan, as well as corresponding catalytic technologies, in order to meet the needs of the domestic and international markets for the development of fine chemicals. 　　1.5.3.2 New separation technologies Research on the development of multi-component separation on an industrial scale, particularly efficient and precise separation techniques for unstable compounds and functional substances, is crucial for the development and production of fine chemical products. 　　Special emphasis will be placed on the development of supercritical extraction and separation technologies, with research focused on using these techniques to produce natural plant extracts with high export value (such as natural pigments, essential oils, and active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicines), thereby providing theoretical and technical foundations for the practical application and localization of supercritical extraction and separation technologies. It is being developed and applied in fields such as fine chemicals, food, fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and the deep processing of petroleum, offering broad prospects for development. 　　In addition, emphasis is placed on the development of applications for inorganic membrane separation technology in fields such as ultra-pure gases, drinking water, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals ； Strive to make progress in the development of inorganic membrane catalytic reactors ； Actively carry out research on precision distillation and reactive distillation technologies, as well as the application development for efficient separation of mixed xylene in the fragrance industry. 　　1.5.3.3 Efficiency-enhancing compound technology In developed countries, the ratio of the number of chemical products to the number of commercial products is 1:20, while in China it is currently only 1:1.5; not only is the variety count low, but the quality is also poor. One of the key reasons is the backwardness of synergistic formulation technology. 　　Therefore, it is an urgent task to strengthen basic research on applications and applied technology research in this area, such as specialized studies on separation methods for surfactants, their cleaning effects, surface modification, microencapsulation, film formation, and ultramicrogranulation techniques. Due to the special nature of the application subjects, it is difficult to use a single compound to meet users’ requirements; as a result, research on formulations and blending techniques becomes a decisive factor in determining the quality of the products, hence there is a need to intensify research in this area. 　　1.5.3 .4 Ultra-fine powder technology Ultra-fine powder technology is a solid material processing technique that emerged in the 1970s and can be used for the post-processing of fine chemicals. In the ultra-fine state, the physical and chemical properties of the powder undergo significant changes. 　　Ultra-fine powder technology can make the biochemical effects of drugs more effective ； It makes the colors of paint and ink vivid and shiny ； To make the coating adhere more firmly ； When used as a filler for rubber and plastics, it can improve their physical and chemical properties, enabling them to better meet technical requirements. Therefore, the research prospects for the practical application of this technology are promising. 　　1.5.3.5 Pollution-free alternative technologies for aerosols (CFCs) The global environmental problem of ozone layer depletion has attracted significant attention from countries around the world since the 1970s; as the deadlines for banning controlled substances keep coming earlier, it has become even more urgent to research alternatives to them. 　　Researching pollution-free alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and alternative technologies for applications such as air conditioning cooling, plastic foaming, and high-efficiency insecticide aerosols is of great significance, as it facilitates the development of industrializable synthetic routes and practical application technologies. 　　Others, such as biotechnology, polymer modification technology, computer-aided chemical engineering applications, and integrated treatment technologies, are all closely related to the development of the chemical industry and fine chemicals. Their breakthroughs and development will have a tremendous impact on economic growth and social progress. Therefore, sufficient attention should also be paid to them, and priority should be given to their development. 　　In short, the production of high-functional fine chemicals is impossible without the application of high technology and the development of key technologies. Shortcomings in the Development of the Fine Chemical Industry and Suggestions As the fine chemical industry in China continues to develop, various problems are becoming increasingly apparent. In particular, the slow progress in reforming the scientific research and development system, severe duplicate construction, a predominance of low-quality products, a low level of refinement, low added value, small enterprise sizes, low concentration, and inefficient allocation of resources are all serious constraints that hinder further development of the industry and improvements in its quality. 　　Therefore, Chinese fine chemical enterprises must seize the new development opportunities, increase investment in technological innovation, conduct forward-looking research, establish and improve systems and mechanisms for technological innovation, enhance supporting measures, and boost overall efficiency and competitiveness. They need to create a fair competitive environment for their businesses, while phasing out, reducing, or restricting outdated products and production processes – only in this way can they remain competitive in the new circumstances. 　　The fine chemicals industry encompasses a wide range of categories and has a broad scope of influence; it is greatly affected by industrial policies. From the perspective of structural adjustment and technological progress, intensive operation represents the direction for the future development of China’s fine chemicals industry. Chemical industrial parks have been established in many parts of China, along with corresponding preferential policies, and many of these parks emphasize the specialty of fine chemicals. Such a structure facilitates the integration and coordination between upstream and downstream sectors in the fine chemicals industry, thereby greatly promoting its development.