Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
61401 | Journal of Catalysis | 2013 | 10 Pages |
Monobutyl itaconate (MBI) are commercially prepared by using freshly distilled acetyl chloride as catalysts, which, however, always results in complicated purification processes due to the usage of water-carrying agents. Here, we report the highly selective production of MBI by using zeolite-based hierarchical porous materials as catalysts in the esterification between itaconic acid and n-butyl alcohol. Two typical hierarchically porous-structured catalysts, namely hierarchical mesoporous zeolites (HMZ) and hierarchical nanozeolite assembly (HNZ), with distinctive meso- or nano-porosities and highly crystallized ZSM-5 framework, were prepared, and both of them exhibited high catalytic activity and reusability in the selective esterification between itaconic acid and n-butyl alcohol. The extraordinarily high selectivity to MBI was achieved and attributed to the decreased diffusion restriction in the meso- or nano-porous network and shortened diffusion path in the zeolite framework or zeolites nanocrystals of HMZ and HNZ, respectively, which prevented further esterification of monoesters into diesters.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (71 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Hierarchical mesoporous zeolites (HMZ) and nanozeolite assembly (HNZ) were prepared. ► HMZ were synthesized by using CTAB and F127 as co-mesoporogens. ► HNZ were prepared in a self-assembly process without secondary porogens. ► Both of them could selectively esterify the nonconjugated carboxyl groups. ► The mesoporosity and shortened diffusion path were found to be the main reasons.