Ketonization and deoxygenation of alkanoic acids and conversion of levulinic acid to hydrocarbons using a Red Mud bauxite mining waste as the catalyst

Red Mud bauxite mining waste which consists of a highly alkaline mixture of Fe2O3 (typically >60%, w/w), TiO2 and several complex sodium alumino-silicates is a viable, but non-selective catalyst for the ketonization of carboxylic acids. The active catalyst consists of reduced iron oxide, silicate, aluminate and carbide phases that have to be formed either by pre-reduction of the Red Mud with a blend of formic and acetic acids or in situ by reduction with H2(g) at T > 350 °C. Under H2(g) this catalyst can convert biomass derived levulinic acid into a blend of C9 alkenes and alkanes in up to 76% (w/w) yield. The reduced Red Mud is a non-alkaline magnetic solid that was analyzed by various techniques (XRD, Mössbauer, EA, Raman, TGA). It can be reused as a catalyst without loss of activity.

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► Red Mud mining waste is catalyst for the ketonization of carboxylic acids in moderate selectivity.
► Use of Red Mud as a catalyst requires its partial pre- or in situ reduction to magnetite at T > 350 °C.
► Under H2(g) the catalyst effectively converts levulinic acid to a blend of alkenes and alkanes.