Dougherty and DeBord are “fine innovators, chemists and community volunteers,” said Paul Worsham, senior development associate at Eastman Chemical Company.
The chemists have improved the process for producing the chemical di-t-octylhydroquinone (DOH) and similar compounds by using two catalysts — a substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed — instead of just one. The new process gives good, high-quality yields over short reaction times and only requires one solvent, which is then recovered and recycled.
DOH and its derivatives are useful as antioxidants and stabilizers in fats, oils and petroleum-based products, and as industrial intermediates for the production of surface-active agents, coating materials and plastics. Currently, the greatest demand for DOH is as a photographic stabilizer.
Eastman manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics. The company has approximately 16,500 employees in 30 countries and had 2000 sales of $5.3 billion.
The American Chemical Society’s Industrial Innovation Awards recognize individuals and teams whose discoveries and inventions contribute to the commercial success of their companies and enhance our quality of life.
Shawn Marie Dougherty, Ph.D., is a principal development chemist at Eastman Chemical Company. She received her B.A. in organic chemistry from New College, Sarasota, Fla., in 1985 and her Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1990. She resides in Gray, Tenn.
Sharon DeBord is a laboratory technician associate at Eastman Chemical Company. She received her B.S. from East Tennessee State University in 1987. She resides in Kingsport, Tenn.