Liquid-phase dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide using sulfated zirconia as a solid acid catalyst

Sulfated zirconia catalysts have been prepared with zirconium (IV) hydroxide and sulfuric acid as the sources of zirconia and sulfate group, respectively. In this study, liquid-phase dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide is investigated in the presence of the catalysts under various reaction conditions including reaction temperature, time, catalyst dosage and sulfur content/acidity of the catalysts. The results show that sulfated zirconia, with high sulfur content and a tetragonal crystalline structure, is a promising solid acid catalyst that can be used at least four times in the dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide.

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► Isosorbide is produced in liquid-phase dehydration of sorbitol.
► The liquid-phase dehydration is carried out firstly with solid inorganic catalysts.
► Sulfated zirconia is suggested as a potential catalyst for the isosorbide production.