Active sites of supported KF catalysts for transesterification

Supported KF catalysts have been applied in a wide range of catalyzed reactions, but there is still a debate in the literature over which surface species are the catalytically active sites. Here, we report that the active sites of KF supported on coconut shell catalyst for transesterification are Carobbiite KF formed by calcination at high temperature from common KF.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Find a new catalytic active site of KF/carrier catalysts—Carobbiite KF ► Common KF can be transformed into Carobbiite KF at high activation temperature. ► KF·2H2O activated at low and high temperature shows entirely different activities.