Promotion of organotin modified SBA-15 in the selective carboxylation of BPA with DMC

Two-methylcarbonate-ended-BPA (DmC(1)) was selectively synthesized from dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and bisphenol A (BPA) over organotin modified SBA-15. Organotin modified samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, BET and TG, and the relations between catalytic performance and catalyst properties were discussed. When heterogeneous SBA-15(CH2)3SnOC4H9 was used as catalyst, DmC(1) achieved better yield and higher selectivity than that obtained over homogeneous (C4H9)2SnO. The confined region effect of SBA-15(CH2)3SnOC4H9 was the main reason to promote the reaction between one-methylcarbonate-ended-BPA (MmC(1)) and DMC.

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► The organotin modified SBA-15 as catalysts. Catalysts for DmC(1) selectively synthesis from dimethyl carbonate and bisphenol A.
► The heterogenous SBA-15(CH2)3SnOC4H9 showed a better performance than homogeneous (C4H9)2SnO.
► A higher MmC(1) concentration in the mesopore of SBA-15(CH2)3SnOC4H9 resulted in higher DmC(1) selectivity.