On Demand Carbon Monoxide Generator For Therapeutic and Other Applications

Abstract

A device that can produce carbon monoxide for therapeutic and laboratory applications is disclosed. The device includes and electrochemical cell that converts carbon dioxide or a carbon dioxide containing molecule such as a carbonate or bicarbonate or bicarbonate into carbon monoxide and oxygen. The cell contains additives so pure carbon monoxide is obtained.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An carbon monoxide generator for chemical laboratory or therapeutic uses, comprising
 a. A Carbon Dioxide Source, and   b. A means to convert carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide,   
       wherein the output of the carbon monoxide generator contains at least 20 times as much CO as H 2  on a molar basis. 
     
     
         2 . The carbon monoxide generator in  claim 1  with a Carbon Dioxide Source comprising at least one of solid CO 2 , liquid CO 2 , gaseous CO 2 , a carbonate or a bicarbonate. 
     
     
         3 . The carbon monoxide generator in  claim 1  comprising an electrochemical cell 
     
     
         4 . The carbon monoxide generator in any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one of a) a Helper Catalyst b) A Directing Molecule or c) a Hydrogen Suppressor. 
     
     
         5 . The Carbon Dioxide Source in  claim 1  comprising at least one of a) a Helper Catalyst b) A Directing Molecule or c) a Hydrogen Suppressor. 
     
     
         6 . The device in  claim 4  or  5 , with at least one of
 a) the Helper Catalyst, 
 b) The Directing Molecule or 
 c) the Hydrogen Supressor 
 comprising at least one cation and/or at least one anion. 
 
     
     
         7 . The device in any of  claim 4 ,  5 , or  6  wherein at least one of
 a) the Helper Catalyst, 
 b) The Directing Molecule or 
 c) the Hydrogen Supressor 
 has a concentration of between about 0.000006 2% and 99.999% by weight. 
 
     
     
         8 . The device of any of  claims 4 - 7 , wherein at least one of
 a) the Helper Catalyst,   b) The Directing Molecule or   c) the Hydrogen Supressor   comprises at least one of the following: phosphines, imidazoliums, pyridiniums, pyrrolidiniums, phosphoniums, sulfoniums, prolinates, methioninates, or alkali ions.   
     
     
         9 . The device of any of  claims 4 - 8 , wherein at least one of
 a) the Helper Catalyst,   b) The Directing Molecule or   c) the Hydrogen Supressor   comprises cholines or a choline salt.   
     
     
         10 . The device of any one of  claims 4  through  9  wherein at least one of
 a) the Helper Catalyst, 
 b) The Directing Molecule or 
 c) the Hydrogen Supressor 
 comprises 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium cations. 
 
     
     
         11 . The device of any of  claims 4  through  10  wherein at least one of
 a) the Helper Catalyst, 
 b) The Directing Molecule or 
 c) the Hydrogen Supressor 
 comprises tetrafluoroborate anions. 
 
     
     
         12 . The device of any of  claims 4  through  11 , wherein at least one of
 a) the Helper Catalyst, 
 b) The Directing Molecule or 
 c) the Hydrogen Supressor 
 comprises potassium or cesium cations. 
 
     
     
         13 . The device of any of  claims 4  through  12 , wherein at least one of
 a) the Helper Catalyst, 
 b) The Directing Molecule or 
 c) the Hydrogen Supressor 
 comprises tetrafluoroborate anions, and 
 is a solvent, electrolyte or additive. 
 
     
     
         14 . The device of any of  claims 4  through  13  above, wherein the Director Molecule comprises:a positively charges species further comprising at least one polar group selected from —OR, —COR, —COOR, —NR 2 , —PR 2 , —SR, or halides, where the R groups can independently be hydrogen or ligands containing carbon. 
     
     
         15 . The device of any of  claims 4  through  14  above, wherein the Hydrogen Suppressor comprises: a choline derivative of the form R 1 R 2 R 3 N +  (CH 2 ) n OH or R 1 R 2 R 3 N +  (CH 2 ) n Cl, wherein n=1-4, and R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic C 1 -C 4  groups, —CH 2 OH, —CH 2 CH 2 OH, —CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 OH, —CH 2 CHOHCH 3 , —CH 2 COH, —CH 2 CH 2 COH, and —CH 2 COCH 3  and molecules where one or more chlorine or fluorine is substituted for hydrogen in aliphatic C 1 -C 4  groups, —CH 2 OH, —CH 2 CH 2 OH, —CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 OH, —CH 2 CHOHCH 3 , —CH 2 COH, —CH 2 CH 2 COH, or —CH 2 COCH 3 . 16 A portable carbon monoxide generator for chemical laboratory or therapeutic use, comprising the device of any of the above claims. 
     
     
         16 . The device of any of  claims 2  through  14  above wherein the device comprises a cartridge that fits in the line between an oxygen source and a patient. 
     
     
         17 . A method of producing carbon monoxide for chemical laboratory or therapeutic uses, comprising the steps of:
 providing the device of any of the above claims;   providing carbon dioxide, a carbonate, or a bicarbonate from the Carbon Dioxide Source to the device;   providing any additional water, solvent, or electrolyte as may be needed;   applying a source of energy, such as an electric current, to the device; and   directing the carbon monoxide thus produced to the intended point of use.