Alkylation of Catechol with tert-Butyl Alcohol Catalyzed by Mesoporous Acidic Montmorillonite Heterostructure Catalysts

The liquid phase alkylation of catechol with tert-butyl alcohol to produce4-tert-butyl catechol (4-TBC) was carried out over MCM-41, HZSM-5, H-exchanged montmorillonite andnovel acidic porous montmorillonite heterostructures (PMHs). Upon all catalysts tested, 4-TBC is themain product and 3-tert-butyl catechol (3-TBC) and 3,5-di-tert-butyl catechol are the sideproducts. The synthetic PMHs showed higher conversion of catechol and better selectivity to 4-TBCcompared to other solid acid catalysts tested. Over the PMHs derived from H-exchangedmontmorillonite through template extraction processes, the suitable reaction temperature is ca 410K, the ratio of catechol to tert-butyl alcohol is 1:2. Increasing the amount of catalyst (lowerweight hourly space velocity) can improve the conversion of catechol and influence the selectivityslightly. The reasonable reaction time is ca 8 h. The type and strength of acidity ofH-montmorillonite and PMH were determined by pyridine adsorption FT-IR and ammoniatemperature-programmed desorption techniques. The medium and strong acid sites are conducive toproducing 4-TBC and the weak acid sites to facilitating the 3-TBC formation. The differences betweenthe PMHs from calcination and those from extraction are attributed to proton migration and aciditychange in the gallery surface.

Honeycomb-structured solid acid catalysts fabricated via the swelling-induced self-assembly of acidic poly(ionic liquid)s for highly efficient hydrolysis reactions

The development of heterogeneous acid catalysts with higher activity than homogeneous acid catalysts is critical and still challenging.In this study,acidic poly(ionic liquid)s with swelling ability(SAPILs)were designed and synthesized via the free radical copolymerization of ionic liquid monomers,sodium p-styrenesulfonate,and crosslinkers,followed by acidification.The 31P nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of adsorbed trimethylphosphine oxide indicated that the synthesized SAPILs presented moderate and single acid strength.The thermogravimetric analysis results in the temperature range of 300–345°C revealed that the synthesized SAPILs were more stable than the commercial resin Amberlite IR-120(H)(245°C).Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy testing demonstrated that SAPILs presented unique three-dimensional(3D)honeycomb structure in water,which was ascribed to the swelling-induced self-assembly of the molecules.Moreover,we used SAPILs with micron-sized honeycomb structure in water as catalysts for the hydrolysis of cyclohexyl acetate to cyclohexanol,and determined that their catalytic activity was much higher than that of homogeneous acid catalysts.The equilibrium concentrations of all reaction components inside and outside the synthesized SAPILs were quantitatively analyzed using a series of simulated reaction mixtures.Depending on the reaction mixture,the concentration of cyclohexyl acetate inside SAPIL-1 was 7.5–23.3 times higher than that outside of it,which suggested the high enrichment ability of SAPILs for cyclohexyl acetate.The excellent catalytic performance of SAPILs was attributed to their 3D honeycomb structure in water and high enrichment ability for cyclohexyl acetate,which opened up new avenues for designing highly efficient heterogeneous acid catalysts that could eventually replace conventional homogeneous acid catalysts.

Modified graphene‐based materials as effective catalysts for transesterification of rapeseed oil to biodiesel fuel

Production of biodiesel by the transesterification process using different modified graphene‐based materials as catalysts was studied.Solid acid graphene‐based samples were prepared by grafting sulfonic or phosphate groups on the surface of thermally reduced graphene oxide.The obtained materials were thoroughly characterized using scanning electron microscopy,X‐ray diffraction,thermogravimetric analysis,X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy,N2 adsorption‐desorption measurements,potentiometric titration,elemental analysis,and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.The prepared catalysts were tested in the transesterification of rapeseed oil with methanol at 130°C under pressure,and their activities were compared to the performance of a commercially available heterogeneous acidic catalyst,Amberlyst‐15.All modified samples were active in the transesterification process;however,significant differences were observed in the yield of biodiesel,depending on the method of catalyst preparation and strength of the acidic sites.The highest yield of fatty acid methyl esters of 70%was obtained for thermally reduced graphene oxide functionalized with 4‐benzenediazonium sulfonate after 6 h of processing,and this result was much higher than that obtained for the commercial catalyst Amberlyst‐15.The results of the reusability test were also promising.

Catalytic Performance of Aquathermolysis and Viscosity Reduction of Heavy Oil over a WO_(3)/ZrO_(2) Solid Acid

Tungstated zirconia(WO_(3)/ZrO_(2))solid acid catalysts with different WO_(3) contents were prepared by a hydrothermal method and then used in the catalytic aquathermolysis of heavy oil from Xinjiang.The WO_(3)/ZrO_(2) solid acid catalyst was characterized by a range of characterization methods,including X-ray diffraction,NH3-temperature programmed desorption,and pyridine infrared spectroscopy.The WO_(3) content of the WO_(3)/ZrO_(2) catalysts had an important impact on the structure and property of the catalysts.When the WO_(3) mass fraction was 20%,it facilitated the formation of tetragonal zirconia,thereby enhancing the creation of robust acidic sites.Acidity is considered to have a strong impact on the catalytic performance of the aquathermolysis of heavy oil.When the catalyst containing 20%WO_(3) was used to catalyze the aquathermolysis of heavy oil under conditions of 14.5 MPa,340℃,and 24 h,the viscosity of heavy oil decreased from 47266 to 5398 mPa·s and the viscosity reduction rate reached 88.6%.The physicochemical properties of heavy oil before and after the aquathermolysis were analyzed using a saturates,aromatics,resins,and asphaltenes analysis,gas chromatography,elemental analysis,densimeter etc.After the aquathermolysis,the saturate and aromatic contents significantly increased from 43.3%to 48.35%and 19.47%to 21.88%,respectively,with large reductions in the content of resin and asphaltene from 28.22%to 25.06%and 5.36%to 2.03%,respectively.The sulfur and nitrogen contents,and the density of the oil were significantly decreased.These factors were likely the main reasons for promoting the viscosity reduction of heavy oil during the aquathermolysis over the WO_(3)/ZrO_(2) solid acid catalysts.

A Novel Complex of Pyridinium Polystyrylsulfonate with Fluoboric Acid as a Catalyst for Acetalization of Benzaldehyde with n-Butanol

A new complex (1) was prepared by mixing pyridinium polystyrylsulfonate resin and aqueous fluoboric acid, followed by being dehydrated. 1 can be used as an acidic catalyst for the acetalization of benzaldehyde with n-butanol with a highly catalytic activity. The characterization and reusability of 1 are discussed.

Preparation and Catalytic Application of Novel Water Tolerant Solid Acid Catalysts of Zirconium Sulfate/HZSM-5

Esterification of acrylic acid（AA） to produce AA esters has widespread application in the chemical industry. A series of water tolerant solid acid catalysts was prepared, and characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption, TGA-DTA, XPS, and ammonia adsorption FTIR. The effects of Si/Al ratio, zirconium sulfate（ZS） loading on HZSM-5 and calcination temperature on the esterification were investigated. When 20% （mass fraction） ZS is loaded on HZSM-5, the conversion of AA reaches 100%. XRD analysis indicates that ZS is highly dispersed on HZSM-5 because no crystalline structure assigned to ZS is found. Catalytic activity and hydrophobicity of ZS supported on HZSM-5 are higher compared with those of parent ZS or HZSM-5. Results show that this kind of novel catalysts is an efficient water tolerant solid acid catalyst for esterification reactions.

A new solid acid SO_4^(2-)/TiO_2 catalyst modified with tin to synthesize 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate

A new solid acid catalyst,SO4^2-/TiO2 modified with tin,was prepared using a sol-gel method and its physicochemical properties were revealed by nitrogen adsorption-desorption,X-ray powder diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine,temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia and thermal gravimetric analysis.The structure,acidity and thermal stability of the SO4^2-/TiO2-SnO2 catalyst were studied.Incorporating tin enlarged the specific surface area and decreased crystallite size of the SO4^2-/TiO2 catalyst.The total acid sites of the modified catalyst increased and Bronsted acid strength remarkably increased with increasing tin content.The decomposition temperature of sulfate radical in the modified catalyst was 100 ℃ greater and its mass loss was more than twice that of the SO4^2-/TiO2 catalyst.The SO4^2-/TiO2-SnO2 catalyst was designed to synthesize 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate by esterification of 1,6-hexanediol with crylic acid.The yield of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate exceeded 87% under the optimal reaction conditions：crylic acid to 1,6-hexanediol molar ratio = 3.5,catalyst loading = 7%,reaction temperature = 130 ℃ and reaction time = 3 h.The modified catalyst exhibited excellent reusability and after 10 cycles the conversion of 1,6-hexanediol was above 81%.

Reaction Kinetics of Biodiesel Synthesis from Waste Oil Using a Carbon-based Solid Acid Catalyst

The kinetics of simultaneous transesterification and esterification with a carbon-based solid acid catalyst was studied.Two solid acid catalysts were prepared by the sulfonation of carbonized vegetable oil asphalt and petroleum asphalt.These catalysts were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis,acidity site concentration,the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller（BET）surface area and pore size.The kinetic parameters with the two catalysts were determined,and the reaction system can be described as a pseudo homogeneous catalyzed reaction.All the forward and reverse reactions follow second order kinetics.The calculated concentration values from the kinetic equations are in good agreement with experimental values.

Efficient conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over sulfated porous carbon catalyst

Sulfated porous carbon （PC-SO3H） catalyst was successfully synthesized from one-pot treatment of porous polydivinylbenzene in H2SO4 at 250 ℃, which exhibited very good catalytic performances in the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from fructose.

Dehydration of xylose to furfural over niobium phosphate catalyst in biphasic solvent system

Phosphoric acid treated niobic acid(NbP)was used for the dehydration of xylose to furfural in biphasic solvent system,which was found to exhibit the best performance among the tested catalysts.The excellent performance of NbP could be explained by the better synergistic cooperation between Bro¨nsted and Lewis acid sites.Moreover,NbP showed good stability and no obvious deactivation or leaching of Nb could be observed after six continuous recycles.

Ketalization of Catechol with Carbonyl Compounds Catalyzed by Metal p-Toluenesulfonate as Biphasic Acid Catalyst

Ketalization of catechol was studied with various carbonyl compounds using metal p-toluenesulfonate as biphasic catalysts. The results showed that copper p-toluenesulfonate was the most efficient catalysts for the reaction. The advantages of high activity, stability, reusability and low cost for the simple synthetic procedure made the catalyst one of the best choice for the reaction.

Biodiesel Production from Crude Jatropha curcas L.Oil with Trace Acid Catalyst

Biodiesel produced from crude Jatropha curcas L.oil with trace sulfuric acid catalyst(0.02%-0.08% oil) was investigated at 135-184 ℃.Both esterification and transesterification can be well carried out simultane-ously.Factors affecting the process were investigated,which included the reaction temperature,reaction time,the molar ratio of alcohol to oil,catalyst amount,water content,free fatty acid(FFA) and fatty acid methyl ester(FAME) content.Under the conditions at 165 ℃,0.06%(by mass) H2SO4 of the oil mass,1.6 MPa and 20:1 methanol/oil ratio,the yield of glycerol reached 84.8% in 2 hours.FFA and FAME showed positive effect on the transesterification in certain extent.The water mass content below 1.0% did not show a noticeable effect on trans-esterification.Reaction kinetics in the range of 155 ℃ to 175 ℃ was also measured.

Construction of a Bronsted-Lewis solid acid catalyst La-PW-SiO_(2)/SWCNTs based on electron withdrawing effect of La(Ⅲ)onπbond of SWCNTs for biodiesel synthesis from esterification of oleic acid and methanol

A novel solid Bronsted-Lewis acid catalyst La-PW-SiO_(2)/SWCNTs(single-wall carbon nanotubes)was synthesized from the synergistic modification of H_(3)PW_(12)O_(40)(HPW)by single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with sidewall hydroxyl groups(SWCNTs–OH)and La^(3+) via sol–gel method.The freshly prepared catalyst was characterized by several methods,and the catalytic activity and stability of it were studied from the esterification of oleic acid and methanol.Results showed that the highest conversion of oleic acid was 93.1%(mass)and maintained as high as 88.7%(mass)after six cycles of La-PW-SiO_(2)/SWCNTs.The high catalytic activity and stability of La-PW-SiO_(2)/SWCNTs can be attributed to the strong electron withdrawing effect of La^(3+) on π bond of SWCNTs,because it can facilitate the formation of a large number of strong Lewis acid sites.Therefore,the reduction of catalytic activity of a solid acid catalyst due to the fact that hydration reaction of its Bronsted acid sites can be effectively reduced.La-PW-SiO_(2)/SWCNTs can be an efficient and economical catalyst,because it shows good catalytic activity and stability.

Preparation of Cs-Rb-V series sulphuric acid catalyst

Cs Rb V series low temperature sulphuric acid catalyst was prepared for the first time by using carbonized mother liquor containing alkali metal salts. The results show that the conversion of SO 2 on catalyst prepared directly with carbonized mother liquor could reach to 24.8% at 410?℃. If n (Na)/ n (V) was adjusted properly, the conversion of SO 2 could be increased to 35.6% at 410?℃. Refined carbonized mother liquor could make the catalytic activity even higher at low temperature, the conversion of SO 2 could be increased to 36.65% at 410?℃. The catalyst was examined with differential thermal analysis. It was found that both endothermic peaks and exothermic peaks of catalyst shifted forward obviously and the catalyst possessed higher activity at low temperature.

Laboratory Research on Tahe AR Fluid Coking on Weak Acid Catalysts

Fluid coking on micro-spherical particles with acid sites on them could produce more light oils from Tahe AR.The conversion rate could increase by about 20% on the catalyst B compared to that obtained on the catalyst A and the light oil yield could increase by about 12%.The yield of gasoline and diesel was more than 50% from Tahe AR over the catalyst B.Tests on acidity of the catalyst B by pyridine FT-IR spectrometry showed that the total acid content and the ratio of weak acid number to total acid number were higher than other catalysts.

Novel efficient procedure for biodiesel synthesis from waste oils with high acid value using 1-sulfobutyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrosulfate ionic liquid as the catalyst

Preparation of biodiesel from waste oils containing 72% of free fatty acids catalyzed by a novel Br?nsted acidic ionic liquid 1-sulfobutyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrosulfate([BHSO_3MIM][HSO_4]) was systematically investigated.The optimum molar ratio of methanol to waste oils,catalyst amount,reaction temperature and reaction time were 8/1,10%(based on the mass of waste oils),140°C and 6 h,respectively,under which the obtained yield of biodiesel reached 94.9%.Also,[BHSO_3MIM][HSO_4] as a catalyst still retained around 97% of its original catalytic activity after successive re-use of 5 batches(6 h per batch),showing the excellent operational stability.Moreover,the acidic IL [BHSO_3MIM][HSO_4] was able to ef ficiently catalyze conversions of waste oils with different amounts of FFAs(free fatty acids) into biodiesel,and showed tremendous application potential.Therefore,an ef ficient and environmentally friendly catalyst is provided for the synthesis of biodiesel from waste oils with high acid value.

Biochar-based Solid Acids as Catalysts for Carbohydrate Hydrolysis: A Critical Review

Recently, increasing interest has been focused on the hydrolysis of carbohydrates to monosaccharides, among which, glucose and xylose as typical platform sugars can be used to produce chemicals and biofuels. As heterogeneous catalysts, solid acids have gained extensive attention for biomass biorefinery and could replace the conventional process owing to their excellent properties, including acceptable acidity and easy separation. In particular, biochar-based solid acids derived from biomass are promising for biomass conversion owing to the low-cost of feedstocks and the simple preparation procedure. Herein, we attempt to provide a critical overview of biochar-based solid acids for hydrolysis of carbohydrates into glucose and xylose. The preparation methods and properties of biochar-based catalysts as well as the influence of their properties on catalytic performance were discussed in detail. We also highlight the major challenges facing the use of biochar-based solid acids for carbohydrate hydrolysis.

The effect of copper valence on catalytic combustion of styrene over the copper based catalysts in the absence and presence of water vapor

Catalysts CuOx/γ,-Al2O3-IH and CuOx/γ/-Al2O3-IM were prepared, characterized, and tested for styrene combustion in the absence and presence of water vapor. The effect of copper valence of the catalysts on the catalytic activity for styrene combustion was discussed using the theory of hard soft acids and bases （HSAB）. The results showed that the existence of water vapor in feed stream inhibited the catalytic activity for styrene combustion due to the competition adsorption of water molecule. HSAB theory confirmed that the local soft acidity of the catalyst CuOx/^-AI203-1H was much stronger than that of the catalyst CuOx/^-AI203-1M because of the higher content of soft acid Cu＋ on its surface, which increased the adsorption ability toward soft base of styrene and reduced the adsorption toward hard base of water vapor, and thus increased the catalytic activity for styrene combustion and weakened the negative influence of water vapor.

GROUP TRANSFER POLYMERIZATION OF ETHYL ACRYLATE WITH LEWIS ACID CATALYST

This paper reports the kinetics of group transfer polymerization (GTP)of ethyl acrylate (EA)with zinc iodide catalyst in 1,2-dichloroethane using dimethyl ketene methyl trimethylsilyl acetal (MTS) as initiator at 0℃ and above 0℃. The amount of catalyst used was studied. When zinc iodide catalyst used is more than 10mol% relative to monomer, the rate of polymerization is proportional to the concentration of monomer, whereas zinc iodide catalyst used is less than 10 mol% of the monomer, the rate of polymerization is independent of the monomer concentration.In the GTP of EA an induction period was observed when the zinc iodide contents are less than l0mol%. If the reaction temperature is over 0℃, living species become unstable and diminish, leading to incomplete monomer conversion. The reaction curves equations are obtained. The polymers have narrow molecular weight distributions which are not changed as decreasing zinc iodide contents. The polydispersity is about 1.2.

Study on Disproportionation Reaction of FCC Gasoline on Acid Catalyst

Based on the experimental data relating to the reaction of FCC gasoline on acid catalyst the analysis of product distribution, and composition of gasoline and diesel fractions have been analyzed. The occurrence of disproportionation reaction of FCC gasoline on acid catalyst and the network of disproportionation reaction have been identified. Study has also shown that different reaction temperatures can result in different pathways of disproportionation reactions on acid catalyst.