Alkylation of catechol with methanol to guaiacol over sulphate-modified zirconia solid acid catalysts

A series of sulphate-promoted ZrO₂ solid acid catalysts with different contents of SO₄ ²⁻ were calcined at 450°C in air for 4 h and tested for the liquid-phase alkylation of catechol to guaiacol in a fixed-bed down-flow reactor. The 5 wt.% SO₄ ²⁻ on ZrO₂ showed the best conversion (82%) and selectivity for guaiacol (84%) at 200°C and 1 bar pressure. A smooth correlation was observed between the catalytical activity and surface acidity of sulphated zirconia. Based on our results, a surface mechanism is proposed.     

Influence of the Br?nsted and Lewis Acid Sites in Platinum/Solid Acid Catalysts on the Hydrogenation of Benzene and Toluene

The hydrogenation of benzene and toluene was investigated over US-SSY, -Al₂O₃, and Ha1-MCM-41 supported platinum catalysts. The acidity of catalyst supports was measured by IR spectra of pyridine adsorption. On the Brönsted acid supported catalyst, both the hexacyclic saturation product and the pentacyclic one, the hydroisomerization product, were observed, and these two products were revealed to be primary reaction products. The two products were proposed to be formed competitively on Brönsted acid sites with carbonium ions as the reaction intermediate. By contrast, no hydroisomerization product was found on Lewis acid supported catalysts. It was inferred that the electron-deficient reaction intermediate formed on Lewis acids could not undertake any skeletal isomerization process to give a pentacyclic saturation product.     

Synthesis of norfloxacin analogues catalyzed by Lewis and Brönsted acids: An alternative pathway

An alternative synthetic pathway to prepare norfloxacin analogues is presented. Three Lewis acids (CeCl₃·7H₂O, AlCl₃·6H₂O, ZnCl₂) and one Brönsted acid (TsOH) were tested as catalysts in the preparation of 3,4-difluoroacrylate. Cyclization of this acrylate at 55 °C was achieved with the use of Eaton's reagent (P₂O₅/MeSO₃H) a known Brönsted acid. The fluoroquinolone-boron complex presented high yields on C-7 nucleophilic substitution of the fluorine atom by different heterocyclic amines with low, medium and strong nucleophilic character.     

Comparative Study of the Acidity of Sulphated Zirconia Supported on Alumina Prepared by Sol-Gel and Impregnation Methods

Sulphated and unsulphated alumina-zirconia with atomic ratio Zr/Al = 0.5 were prepared by sol-gel and impregnation methods. The solid prepared by the sol-gel method exhibits the higher specific surface area. The Kelvin probe shows that the value of unsulphated sample is around 400 mV. This value grows up to 1100 mV for sample prepared by impregnation of aerogel alumina by sulphated propoxide zirconium and up to 1450 mV for sulphated alumina-zirconia aerogel catalyst. The modification of the work function is probably due to the charge transfer from the zirconium and aluminium to an oxygen species, responsible for the increase of Lewis acidity. XPS results show that the aluminium and zirconium exist in oxide form as Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂. The sulphur is present as sulphate species in the solids bonded to the Al—Zr—O framework. Furthermore, the oxygen species exist in different types created by the introduction of sulphur in the bulk of solids.Compared to the impregnated catalyst the sol-gel sulphated alumina zirconia exhibits higher activity in the isopropanol dehydration reaction in the temperature range 423 K–523 K.     

Dimerization of 1-vinyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole in the presence of acids

In the presence of Bronsted and Lewis acids, I-vinyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole is transformed into its dimes, 1-vinyl-2-[1-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindolyl)ethyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole, and polymers containing units of the dimer and segments of oxidized tetrahydroindole cycles.Translated fromIzvestiva Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khindcheskaya, No. 2, pp. 423–425, February, 1996.     

Temperature-programmed desorption of water and ammonia on sulphated zirconia catalysts for measuring their strong acidity and acidity distribution

Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of water and ammonia over ZrO₂ and sulphated ZrO₂ prepared by different methods has been investigated for measuring strong acidity and acidity distribution on sulphated zirconia-type solid super-acid catalysts. The TPD of water provides a simple reliable method for this purpose because of the high stability of water molecules under redox conditions     

Acetic Acid-Assisted Copper Methanesulfonate Catalyst for Chemoselective Conversion of Aldehydes to Acylals

A new catalytic system has been discovered by combining copper methanesulfonate with acetic acid for chemoselective conversion of aldehydes to acylals in high yields at ambient temperature under solvent‐free conditions. The efficiency of this system might result from the “double activation” of Brønsted–Lewis acid catalysis on aldehydes.     

Mechanochemical reactions of telluric acid with alkaline fluorides

The mechanochemical reactions of telluric acid, Te(OH)₆ with alkaline fluorides (Na and K) have been studied using IR and XRD techniques. The reactions lead to the formation of hydrogen-bonding complexes, NaF.Te(OH)₆ and 2KF.Te(OH)₆. The reactions are free from side products such as alkali tellurates, alkali fluorotellurates or HF₂⁻ salts.     

Temperature-controlled highly selective dimerization of α-methylstyrene catalyzed by Brönsted acidic ionic liquid under solvent-free conditions

A temperature-controlled highly selective dimerization of α-methylstyrene to produce 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene and 1,1,3-trimethyl-3-phenylindan was catalyzed by Brönsted acidic ionic liquid [Hmim]⁺BF₄⁻. At 60 °C, 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene was formed in 93% selectivity with >92% conversion under a solvent-free condition while 1,1,3-trimethyl-3-phenylindan could be obtained in 100% selectivity when the reaction temperature was increased to 170 °C. The ionic liquid [Hmim]⁺BF₄⁻ could be reused with almost no loss of activity.     

离子液体酸性的红外光谱探针法研究

以吡啶和乙腈分子为探针, 使用红外光谱法研究了常用室温离子液体的酸性. 采用吡啶为探针分子时, 出现的～1450 cm^－1、～1540 cm^－1吸收带可以分别指示离子液体的Lewis、Brønsted酸性；采用乙腈为探针分子时, ～2253 cm^－1的C≡N伸缩振动向高波数移动并伴有新峰的出现，可以指示离子液体的Lewis酸性。可以通过比较吡啶探针～1450 cm^－1吸收带的峰位置对离子液体的Lewis酸强度进行排序，并且可以用乙腈探针更灵敏地区分出不同离子液体的Lewis酸的强度，使用该方法研究了离子液体的结构对其Brønsted / Lewis酸性的影响。     

Brønsted acidity of ceric ammonium nitrate in anhydrous DMF. The role of salt and solvent in sucrose cleavage

The generation of an unexpected Brønsted acidity in anhydrous DMF at 50 °C was evidenced by NMR measurements during the investigation on the course of sucrose cleavage by ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN). The formation of a nitrooxy derivative of DMF by reaction with CAN is responsible for this acidity. The reactivity of CAN at 50 °C with several solvents was evaluated by voltammetric and potentiometric measurements. The possible release of protons from these reactions, particularly when aqueous solvent mixtures are used, should always be taken into account in the mechanistic interpretation of CAN synthetic applications.     

Brönsted酸性离子液体催化酯化反应研究

合成了以2-吡咯烷酮和N-甲基咪唑为阳离子([Hnhp]＋和[Hmim]＋), , 和 为阴离子的一系列Brönsted酸性离子液体. 考察了这些离子液体的热稳定性和酸性. 以乙酸和异戊醇酯化合成乙酸异戊酯的反应考察了不同离子液体分别在不分水与分水条件下的催化效果, 结果表明, 不分水时, 当醇/酸/[Hnhp]HSO4物质的量比为1.2∶1∶0.2, 100 ℃下回流反应2 h, 酯收率可达93.6%, 反应结束后[Hnhp]HSO4体系可以顺利分相, [Hnhp]BF4则不能; 分水时, [Hnhp]BF4可与酯自动分相, 当醇/酸/[Hnhp]BF4物质的量比为1.2∶1∶0.01, 120 ℃下回流反应1.5 h时, 酯收率可达96.8%, 比相同条件下[Hnhp]HSO4的略高. 这两种体系中的离子液体均具有良好的重复使用性能. 实验中还探讨了不同离子液体的酸性和催化酯化反应后与酯产物的分相效果对其催化活性的影响, 结果表明, 离子液体的酸性和与酯的不可混溶性对其在不同体系中酯化反应的催化活性有不同程度的影响. 此外, 在上述不分水酯化条件(醇∶酸∶催化剂物质的量比均为1.2∶1∶0.2, 100 ℃油浴)下回流浸渍6 h比较离子液体[Hnhp]HSO4/BF4, [Hmim]HSO4/BF4和硫酸对奥氏体316不锈钢的腐蚀性, 测得离子液体腐蚀率比硫酸低; 除了[Hnhp]BF4, 离子液体[Hnhp]HSO4, [Hmim]HSO4和[Hmim]BF4的腐蚀性呈现随酸性递减而下降的趋势. 所测离子液体中[Hnhp]BF4腐蚀性最高. [Hnhp]BF4和硫酸中试样的腐蚀率分别为20.1和41.8 g/(m2•h).     

Effect of the Al/Si atomic ratio on surface and structural properties of sol-gel prepared aluminosilicates

A series of aluminosilicates with an Al/Si ratio ranging from 0 to ∞ (0 for pure silica and ∞ for pure alumina) was prepared by sol-gel process and characterized by surface and structure techniques. Aluminum trisecbutoxide and tetramethylorthosilicate were used as precursors for the sol-gel synthesis. The acidic properties of the oxides were studied by determination of the zero point charges, through mass titration method, and, for selected samples, by FT-IR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine used as a probe for both Brønsted and Lewis acidity. A dependence of the acidity on the Al/Si atomic ratio was found. According to the X-ray diffraction patterns, all the oxides have an amorphous structure except pure alumina exhibiting a γ-alumina pattern. The surface areas of the mixed oxides increase with increasing amount of alumina and are higher as compared to the individual oxides. The surface elemental distribution and electronic properties were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. According to the results, good agreement between the surface Al/Si atomic ratio and the analytical ratio is obtained.     

Thiolysis of 1,2-epoxides by thiophenol catalyzed under solvent-free conditions

Thiolysis of alkyl- and aryl-1,2-epoxides was investigated under solvent-free conditions in the presence of Lewis and Brønsted acid and base catalysts (InCl₃, p-TsOH, n-Bu₃P, K₂CO₃). Five mol% of catalyst was sufficient and the best results were obtained by using InCl₃ and K₂CO₃. β-Hydroxy sulfide was isolated in excellent yields.     

Brönsted acid ionic liquid-catalyzed direct benzylation, allylation and propargylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with alcohols as well as one-pot synthesis of 4H-chromenes

Recyclable ionic Brönsted acid was prepared in nearly quantitative yield by reacting 1-butylimidazole with an equimolar amount of 1,3-propanesultone, followed by treatment with an equimolar amount of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. The ionic Brönsted acid-catalyzed direct benzylation, allylation and propargylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with various alcohols in ionic liquid [N-ethyl-N-methyl imidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (EMIOTf)], at 100 °C for 3 h proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding products in good to excellent yields without the use of any hazardous or volatile solvents and without any by-product such as salts. Furthermore, tandem benzylation-cyclization-dehydration of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to give functionalized 4H-chromenes was also achieved in this catalytic reaction.     

The Resurgence of the Highly Ylidic N‐Heterocyclic Olefins as a New Class of Organocatalysts

In recent decades, N‐heterocyclic carbenes have become established as a prevalent family of organocatalysts. N‐Heterocyclic olefins, the alkylidene derivatives of N‐heterocyclic carbenes, have recently also emerged as efficient promoters for CO₂ fixation and polymerization reactions. Their extraordinarily strong Lewis/Brønsted basicity suggests great potential as a new class of organocatalysts for a broad range of reactions in synthetic chemistry.     

On the Role of Protonic Acid Sites in Cu Loaded FAU31 Zeolite as a Catalyst for the Catalytic Transformation of Furfural to Furan

The aim of the present paper is to study the speciation and the role of different active site types (copper species and Brønsted acid sites) in the direct synthesis of furan from furfural catalyzed by copper-exchanged FAU31 zeolite. Four series of samples were prepared by using different conditions of post-synthesis treatment, which exhibit none, one or two types of active sites. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, low-temperature sorption of nitrogen, SEM, H₂-TPR, NMR and by means of IR spectroscopy with ammonia and CO sorption as probe molecules to assess the types of active sites. All catalyst underwent catalytic tests. The performed experiments allowed to propose the relation between the kind of active centers (Cu or Brønsted acid sites) and the type of detected products (2-metylfuran and furan) obtained in the studied reaction. It was found that the production of 2-methylfuran (in trace amounts) is determined by the presence of the redox-type centers, while the protonic acid sites are mainly responsible for the furan production and catalytic activity in the whole temperature range. All studied catalysts revealed very high susceptibility to coking due to polymerization of furfural.     

Brønsted Acidity and Aluminum Substitution Characteristics of Si(nAi) Sites in Zeolites: A Theoretical MNDO Calculation

The Brønsted acidity of the various Si(nAl) sites present in zeolites is evaluated from proton binding energy and LUMO energy calculated by the semiempirical MNDO quantum chemical method. The two calculated energy values both exhibit a linear correlation with the existing ²⁹Si NMR chemical shift and the IR hydroxyl stretching frequency data. The inter-convertibility between different Si(nAl) sites during an alumination or dealumination process is also evaluated based on the calculated substitution energy. The results indicate that alumination processes are less favorable to occur in zeolites than dealumination processes and the latter is more likely to occur for Si(nAl) clusters that contain the maximum number of aluminum nearest neighbors.