Etherification of benzyl alcohols with 1-hexanol over organosulfonic acid mesostructured materials

Etherification of benzyl alcohols with 1-hexanol was performed in liquid-phase over propyl- and arene-SO3H-modified mesostructured SBA-15 silica. H2O TPD measurements indicate a stronger interaction of arene-sulfonic acid sites with water molecules than that occurring in propyl-sulfonic groups. Hence, the higher catalytic activity of propyl-sulfonic-modified SBA-15 material is related to the more hydrophobic microenvironment of –SO3H sites which reduces the acid site deactivation associated with adsorption of water generated during the reaction. Moreover, propyl- and arene-sulfonic functionalized SBA-15 materials show a clear improvement of the catalytic performances as compared to other commercial homogeneous and heterogeneous acid catalysts in this particular reaction.

Etherification of benzyl alcohols with 1-hexanol in liquid-phase over propyl- and arene-SO3H-modified mesostructured SBA-15 silica. Higher catalytic activity of propyl-sulfonic-modified SBA-15 material is related to the more hydrophobic microenvironment of –SO3H sites which reduces the acid site deactivation associated with adsorption of water generated during the reaction. Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide