Zn–Mg mixed oxide as high-efficiency catalyst for the synthesis of propylene carbonate by urea alcoholysis

• Zn–Mg mixed oxide catalysts were prepared via urea–precipitation.
• ZM0.25 exhibited high catalytic activity within 30 min (PC yield 94.8%).
• PC yield was strongly related to alkaline of unit specific surface area.
• ZM0.25 catalyst can be reused for up to 5 times (PC yield > 97%).

Zn/Mg catalysts with different atomic ratios of zinc to magnesium were prepared via urea–precipitation. The products were characterized by XRD, BET, SEM, CO2-TPD, and ICP. Compared with pure ZnO, the mixed oxide possessed appropriate alkaline density and high specific surface area. The catalyst with Zn/Mg of 1:4 exhibited high catalytic activity within 30 min and reliable production for propylene carbonate (PC) (94.8%). It was found that the PC yield was strongly related to the amount of alkali of unit specific surface area. Furthermore, the regeneration of ZnO–MgO catalyst was investigated and the ZM0.25 catalyst can be reused for up to 5 times with less changed PC yield.

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