Kinetics of the nopol synthesis by the Prins reaction over tin impregnated MCM-41 catalyst

The kinetics of the nopol synthesis by Prins condensation of β-pinene and paraformaldehyde over Sn-MCM-41 synthesized by impregnation was evaluated using the initial reaction rate method. The reaction rate equation obtained from a kinetic model based on the Langmuir–Hinshelwood formalism with the surface reaction of adsorbed reactants on catalytic sites of the same nature as the limiting step, gave a good prediction of the experimental data. The effect of temperature on the kinetics of nopol synthesis over Sn-MCM-41 obtained by impregnation was studied between 75 and 100 °C. The robustness analysis of the kinetic model showed that the surface reaction constant, ksr′, should be about 0.185 mol g−1 h−1 at 90 °C, while the ratio between the adsorption equilibrium constant of β-pinene, KA, and formaldehyde species, KB, is approximately 1.2:1 (KA:KB). The obtained apparent activation energy and pre-exponential factor are 78 kJ/mol and 2.3 × 1010 mol g−1 h−1, respectively, but compensation effect analysis using both experimental and simulated data gave strong evidence of the dependency in temperature of the apparent Arrhenius parameters.

• Kinetic model for nopol synthesis based on the Langmuir–Hinshelwood formalism is obtained. • The main product, nopol, inhibits the activity of the Sn-MCM-41. • The rate law is robust respect to equilibrium adsorption constants. • The effect of temperature on kinetic of nopol synthesis is mainly on the surface reaction constant.