Alcohol Dehydrations over ZSM‐5 Type Zeolites,Montmorillonite Clays and Pillared Montmorillonites

The reactions of aliphatic alcohols (ethanol, 1‐propanol and 2‐propanol) were studied at 1 atm and 150–300°C by using ZSM‐5 type zeolites, montmorillonites, and pillared montmorillonites. With H‐ZSM‐5 (X) Y zeolites, the total number of acid sites increases with a decrease of Si0₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio (X) and calcining temperature (Y). In addition, apparent increase in the ratio of strong to weak acid sites occurs with increasing X or decreasing Y. The acidities of M‐ZSM‐5 (51) 600 zeolites follow the sequence: Li = Na < K < Cs. Pillared clays exhibit both larger surface areas and more acid sites than the clays. The alcohol conversions decrease in the order of 2‐propanol < 1‐propanol < ethanol, in accordance with the relative stabilities of the corresponding carbenium ions. The catalytic activities are parallel to the total number of catalyst acid sites and the reaction temperature. Favorable formations of ethers are observed at low reaction temperature and small contact time on a catalyst with weak acid strength. Simple consecutive reactions and combined pathway of parallel and consecutive reactions are proposed, respectively, for the dehydration of ethanol and for those of 1‐propanol and 2‐propanol.     

Catalytic benzene mono-alkylation over three catalysts: improving activity and selectivity with M-Y catalyst

Modified Y type catalyst (M-Y) shows great potential for the preparation of toluene attribute to catalyst topology and synergistic effect of Lewis acid and Brönsted acid in the alkylation reaction. However, it still remains a big challenge to build a reaction mechanism. Thereby, based on the study of HZSM-5, H-beta and M-Y catalysts structure and physical properties, a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption/desorption, Fourier transform infrared absorption spectra and Pyridine adsorption infrared. The activity of catalysts was tested in benzene alkylation with methanol and was found to be in the following increasing order: Na-Y (no effect)?<?H-Y?<<?HZSM-5?<?H-beta?<?M-Y.     

Reaction of Trimethylbenzene over Alumina-Pillared Montmorillonite

The reaction of trimethylbenzene (TMB) over alumina-pillared montmorillonite (Al-PM) had been investigated in a fixed-bed flow reactor at 300 °C and atmospheric pressure. Al-PM calcined in the range 300-500 °C exhibited decreased layer distance, surface area and acid amount. The strong acid sites of Al-PM calcined at 500 °C were greatly diminished according to measurements of ammonia temperature-programmed desorption. Under our conditions the reaction proceeded mainly via isomerization and disproportionation with little dealkylation. The conversion of reactant decreased in the order 1,2,3-TMB ≥ 1,2,4-TMB > 1,3,5-TMB and the selectivity of isomerization in the order 1,2,3-TMB > 1,3,5-TMB > 1,2,4-TMB, corresponding to the order of diminishing thermal instability. Both the catalytic activity and the selectivity ratio of disproportionation to isomerization decreased with increased calcined temperature and time-on-stream. o-Xylene content in the total xylene produced from 1,2,4-TMB or 1,2,3-TMB greatly exceeded the composition at thermodynamic equilibrium. These results arc consistent with the decrease of both the strong acid sites and the pore size of Al-PM which exhibits the restricted transition state selectivity.     

Synthesis of ϵ‐Caprolactam from Cyclohexanone Oxime Using Zeolites Hβ, HZSM‐5, and Alumina Pillared Montmorillonite

The Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime (CHO) to ?‐caprolactam (?‐C) was studied in a plug flow reactor at 300–400°C under atmospheric pressure by using Hβ, ZSM‐5, and alumina pillared montmorillonite. With Hβ(X) Y zeolites, raising the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio (X) results in the enhancement of catalyst acid strength with concomitant decrease of the total acid amount. In creasing the calcination temperature (Y) causes remarkable diminution of catalyst surface area, acid strength, and acid amount. A similar trend was found for AlPMY catalysts. In there action of CHO, the initial catalytic activity correlates well with the total acid amount of various catalysts except for Hβ(10) Y (Y > 600°C). The reaction proceeds on both Brönsted and Lewis acid sites and the catalyst deactivation most likely occurs at the strong Brönsted acid sites. The effect of solvents in the feed on the catalytic results was also investigated; it was found that polar solvents such as ethanol or n‐butanol give high ?‐C yield and longer catalyst life time. In the reaction of CHO/C₂H₅OH over Hβ(10)800 at 400°C and W/F 74.6 gh/mol, the CHO conversion and ?‐C yield remain 100% and 92%, respectively, for at least 20 h time‐on‐stream. The reaction paths and the mechanism for ?‐C formation are proposed.     

High Catalytic Performance of Mesoporous Dual Brønsted Acidic Ternary Poly (Ionic Liquids) for Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation

A newfangled cross‐linked dual Brønsted acidic ternary mesoporous poly (ionic liquids)(MPILs) with mesoporous structure was successfully synthesized with divinylbenzene as cross linker, 1‐vinyl‐3‐butyl imidazole bromide and sodium p‐styrene sulfonate as functional group through an ordinary post‐modification method and anion exchange process. A sponge‐like mesoporous tunnel structure was observed and the obtained P (BVS‐SO₃H)‐SO₃CF₃ sample appeared a relatively high thermal stability, a large surface area (up to 286.8 m²/g) and great pore volume (0.73 cm³/g). The abundant dual acidic group of sulfonic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid of the composite in the polymer framework impart Brønsted acidity. For the sake of demonstrating our claims, the sample has been used as a novel solid acid catalyst for the reaction of alkylation of o‐xylene with styrene to 1‐diphenylethane (PXE). Under optimal reaction conditions (reaction under 120 °C for 3 hr, catalyst amount was 0.5 wt% of the reaction system, and the mass ratio of o‐xylene/styrene was 7.5:1, a 100% conversion of styrene and 93.7% PXE yield was acquired. After four times recycle, the yield remains 53.3%. Comparing with the commercial liquid acid catalyst, it processing a higher catalytic property and recyclability. Moreover, this fresh dual acidic heterogeneous catalyst owning a promising future applied in other acidic catalytic reactions and provide a new method to modify catalyst.     

Acidic Co‐Catalysts in Cationic Gold Catalysis

A systematic study on the effects of Lewis or Brønsted acid co‐catalysts in gold‐catalyzed reactions was undertaken using representative reactions (O‐, N‐, and C‐nucleophilic additions to alkynes). Through these reactions, it was demonstrated that an acidic co‐catalyst can increase the catalyst turnover significantly, enabling practical reaction rates at competitive catalyst loadings (<1 mol %). Further investigation is currently underway to improve the understanding of the subtle principles underlying these experimental observations.     

Kinetics of ultrasound‐assisted esterification of maleic acid and butanol using heterogeneous catalyst

The present research investigates the kinetics of ultrasound‐assisted synthesis of dibutyl maleate using a heterogeneous catalyst (Amberlyst‐15) in solvent‐free system. Reaction parameters were optimized based on conversion by varying the various parameters such as n‐butanol to maleic acid mole ratio, temperature, molecular sieves, catalyst loading, power, and duty cycle. Optimization of parameters resulted in 56.2% yield at 343 K, alcohol to acid mole ratio as 4:1, catalyst loading of 4%, molecular sieves of 4% with an ultrasound power input of 100 W with 60% duty cycle and 22 kHz frequency. In the presence of ultrasound, the reaction time reduced to 120 min in comparison with 240 min of the conventional process. The experimental kinetic data were correlated using Pseudo‐Homogeneous model as well as heterogeneous models like Eley‐Rideal model and Langmuir‐Hinshelwood‐Hougen‐Watson (LHHW) model based on single as well as dual‐site mechanisms. LHHW (reactants and products) model was found to be the best fit. The results proved that the reaction follows second‐order kinetics. The activation energy of the reaction was calculated as 14.64 kJ/mol.     

A comparative Suzuki reaction of aryl halides using a new dimeric orthopalladated complex under conventional and microwave irradiation conditions

The cross‐coupling reaction between phenylboronic acid and various types of aryl halides (Suzuki reaction) was carried out using a catalytic amount of a new phosphine‐based catalyst under microwave irradiation. The reaction conditions were optimized and results showed that, by application of this catalytic system, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone as the solvent and potassium carbonate as the base, reactions could be completed in a short reaction time with high to excellent yields. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Alkylation of Ethylbenzene with Methanol on HY,HM and HZSM-5 Zeolite

The alkylation of ethylbenzene with methanol on various zeolites has been studied at atmospheric pressure, 300–500 °C and with ethylbenzene/methanol = 3 mol/mol in a fixed-bed, integral-flow reactor. The catalytic activity decreased in the order HZSM-5 > HY > HM. The optimum conditions for the formation of ethyltoluene were HY zeolite, 400 °C and W/F = 4.1 g-cat h/g-feed. The catalyst decay rate increased in the order HZSM-5 << HY < HM; coking of the zeolite increased the fraction of para-isomer in the ethyltoluenes. On HZSM-5 modified with alkaline earth metal, the conversion of ethylbenzene decreased with concomitantly increased selectivity of para-ethyltoluene especially evident in cases of magnesium and calcium (> 93% para-selectivity). These results are interpreted in terms of diminution of both the strong acid sites and the pore size of zeolites. For the reaction on HY at 400 °C, the reaction paths were determined; the ethylbenzene reacted via alkylation, disproportionation and dealkylation with initial selectivities 84.7%, 13.1% and 2.2%, respectively.     

Ultra‐low‐loading palladium nanoparticles stabilized on nanocrystalline Polyaniline (Pd@PANI): A efficient,green, and recyclable catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes

Ultra‐low‐loading Pd@PANI nanocomposites (0.048 w.t% Pd) were synthesized via a method that combined interfacial polymerization and in situ composite with camphor sulfonic acid ((+)‐CSA) as a dopant. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were performed to characterize the structures. It can be used as an efficient catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes in aqueous solution by using a smaller amount of NaBH₄ (2.5 equiv.) at room temperature with high activity (TON = 3.4 × 10³), good stability (cycled eight times), as well as wide applicability (27 substrates). The catalyst also showed a marvelous activity in the gram‐level reaction (yield = 92%). UV–Visible spectrophotometry was used to investigate the reaction kinetics for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol, and the results reconfirmed the excellent performance of the catalyst. The unique properties and superior performance of the prepared ultra‐low‐loading Pd@PANI nanocomposites lead it be an attractive alternative catalyst for conventional organic catalytic applications.     

Zirconium Phosphate Nanoparticles for Solvent Free Acetylation of Phenols and Salicylic Acid: An Efficient and Eco‐friendly Solid Acid Catalyst for Synthesis of Acetyl Salicylic Acid (Aspirin)

A facile synthesis of zirconium phosphate (ZP) nanoparticles as an effective, eco‐friendly and recyclable solid acid catalyst were studied. PVA was used as the organic matrix which is the dispersing agent and acted as a template for the nanoparticle. It seems H‐bonds between ZP and PVA along polymer chains play an important role in the better dispersion of in situ formed ZP. The catalyst was characterized by several instrumental techniques such as BET, ICP‐OES, XRD, FT‐IR, SEM and TEM. The TPD‐NH₃ analysis suggests the presence of reasonable amount of Brönsted acid sites. The acidic properties of catalyst were studied in acetylation of phenols by acetic anhydride (AA), specifically synthesis of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), commonly known as Aspirin, from salicylic acid (SA). The effects of reaction time, reaction temperature, mole ratio of reactants, as well as amount of catalysts on the synthesis of ASA were investigated, and the reaction conditions were therefore optimized. The excellent yield (96%) of the ASA was obtained under optimized reaction conditions. The catalyst was recovered from reaction media and reused for 4 times after that with a consistent high yield.     

交联蒙脱土负载型Cu催化剂用于CH4燃烧反应的研究

在蒙脱土原粉中引入Al-、AlZr-、AlCe-交联剂，分别制备交联蒙脱土。测试表明：与蒙脱土原粉相比，Al-、AlZr-、AlCe-交联蒙脱土的底面间距明显增大，热稳定性显著提高；AlZr-、AlCe-交联蒙脱土的底面间距比Al-交联蒙脱土更大，热稳定性更高。以交联蒙脱土为载体，制得负载型Cu催化剂，考察了它们对甲烷燃烧反应的催化活性。结果表明：AlZr-、AlCe-交联蒙脱土催化剂活性明显高于Al-交联蒙脱土催化剂，反应温度为550 ℃时，甲烷在AlZr-、AlCe-交联蒙脱土催化剂上的转化率约90%。     

Controlled ring‐opening polymerization of propylene oxide catalyzed by double metal‐cyanide complex

A double metal‐cyanide catalyst based on Zn₃[Co(CN)₆]₂ was prepared. This catalyst is very effective for the ring‐opening polymerization of propylene oxide. Polyether polyols of moderate molecular weight having low unsaturation (<0.015 meq/g) can be prepared under mild conditions. The molecular weight of polymer is entirely controlled by a reacted monomer‐to‐initiator ratio. The polymers prepared with stepwise addition of monomer exhibit a narrower molecular weight distribution as compared with those prepared with one‐step addition of monomer. Various compounds containing active hydrogen, except basic compounds and low‐carbon carboxylic acid, may be used as initiators. The reaction rate increases with increasing catalyst amount and decreases with rising initiator concentration. Polymerization involves a rapid exchange reaction between the active species and the dormant species. It was also proven that, to a certain extent, the chain termination of this catalytic system is reversible or temporary. ¹³C NMR analysis showed that the polymer has a random distribution of the configurational sequences and head‐to‐tail regiosequence. It is assumed that the polymerization proceeds via a cationic coordination mechanism. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1142–1150, 2002     

Preparation of bow tie–type methacrylated poly(caprolactone‐co‐lactic acid) scaffolds: effect of collagen modification on cell growth

A branched methacrylated poly(caprolactone‐co‐lactic acid) and methacrylated poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) (PTMG‐IEM) resins were synthesized. ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography confirmed the chemical structures of copolymers. The photoinitiated polymerization of formulation composed of various amounts of methacrylated poly(caprolactone‐co‐lactic acid), PTMG‐IEM, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, water, and photoinitiator were performed. The curing reactions were followed by photo‐DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry). Gel fraction was calculated from the insoluble part and found as ≥93%. Swelling and contact angles were measured, and all increased with the increasing amount of PTMG‐IEM in network formulations. In vitro degradation studies were performed at 37 °C in phosphate‐buffered saline (pH 7.4). Collagen‐modified polymers were also prepared and introduced as a bioactive moiety to modify the polymer to enhance cell affinity. To compare the cell adhesion affinity to the polymer with and without collagen, cell growth experiments were performed. The results showed that collagen improves the cell adhesion onto the polymer surface. With the increasing amount of collagen, cell viability increases 86% (ECV304, p < 0.05) and 83% (3 T3, p < 0.05). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Carbocations as Lewis Acid Catalysts in Diels–Alder and Michael Addition Reactions

In general, Lewis acid catalysts are metal‐based compounds that owe their reactivity to a low‐lying empty orbital. However, one potential Lewis acid that has received negligible attention as a catalyst is the carbocation. We have demonstrated the potential of the carbocation as a highly powerful Lewis acid catalyst for organic reactions. The stable and easily available triphenylmethyl (trityl) cation was found to be a highly efficient catalyst for the Diels–Alder reaction for a range of substrates. Catalyst loadings as low as 500 ppm, excellent yields, and good endo/exo selectivities were achieved. Furthermore, by changing the electronic properties of the substituents on the tritylium ion, the Lewis acidity of the catalyst could be tuned to control the outcome of the reaction. The ability of this carbocation as a Lewis acid catalyst was also further extended to the Michael reaction.     

Synthesis of α‐Aminonitriles and 5‐Substituted 1H‐Tetrazoles Using an Efficient Nanocatalyst of Fe3O4@SiO2–APTES‐supported Trifluoroacetic Acid

Fe₃O₄@SiO₂–APTES‐supported trifluoroacetic acid nanocatalyst was used for the one‐pot synthesis of α‐aminonitriles via a three‐component reaction of aldehydes (or ketones), amines, and sodium cyanide. This method produced a high yield of 75–96% using only a small amount of the catalyst (0.05 g) in EtOH at room temperature. The catalyst was also employed for the synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles from nitriles and sodium azide in EtOH at 80°C. The tetrazoles were produced with good‐to‐excellent yields in a short reaction time of 4 h. Both synthetic methods were carried out in the absence of an organic volatile solvent. Because the supported trifluoroacetic acid generated a solid acid on the surface, thus the acid corrosiveness was not a serious challenge. This heterogeneous nanocatalyst was magnetically recovered and reused several times without significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Realizing porphyrin‐functionalization of crosslinked polystyrene microspheres via two special polymer reactions

A novel route to make crosslinked polystyrene (CPS) microspheres to be porphyrin‐functionalized via two special polymer reactions, Kornblum reaction and Adler reaction, was designed and founded. The chloromethyl groups of chloromethylated crosslinked polystyrene (CMCPS) microspheres were first oxidized to aldehyde groups by dimethyl sulfoxide as oxidant via Kornblum oxidation reaction, obtaining aldehyde group‐modified microspheres, ALCPS microspheres, in which, a great quantity of benzaldehyde groups suspend from the main chain, and the effects of the main factors including the reaction temperature, the addition of KI as catalyst and the used amount of NaHCO₃ as acid acceptor on the oxidation reaction were examined. Subsequently, the synchronic synthesizing and immobilizing of porphyrins on CPS microspheres were carried out via the Adler reaction between solid and liquid phases, in which, ALCPS microspheres, pyrrole and benzaldehyde or benzaldehyde analog in a solution were used as co‐reactants, resulting in porphyrin‐functionalized microspheres, and the influence of diverse factors including the acidity of the protonic acid catalyst, the substituent structure of benzaldehyde analog, and the polarity of the solvent as well as the swelling property of the solvent for CPS microspheres on the process of synchronously synthesizing and immobilizing porphyrins on CPS microspheres were investigated in depth. The experimental results indicate that via the designed route, the porphyrin‐functionalization of CPS microspheres can successfully be realized. For the Kornblum oxidation reaction, under the optimal reaction conditions, the conversion of chloromethyl groups can reach 90%. For the Adler reaction between solid and liquid phases, the fitting protonic acid catalyst is lactic acid, appropriate solvent is a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide and xylene, and using 4‐chlorobenzaldehyde as a benzaldehyde analog reactant in the solution is in favor of the porphyrin‐functionalization of CPS microspheres. Under these specific conditions, the immobilized amount of porphyrin can get up to 23.33 mmol/100 g. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Melt polycondensation of L‐lactic acid with Sn(II) catalysts activated by various proton acids: A direct manufacturing route to high molecular weight Poly(L‐lactic acid)

Poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) was produced by the melt polycondensation of L ‐lactic acid. For the optimization of the reaction conditions, various catalyst systems were examined at different temperature and reaction times. It was discovered that Sn(II) catalysts activated by various proton acids can produce high molecular weight PLLA [weight‐average molecular weight (M_w ) ≥ 100,000] in a relatively short reaction time (≤15 h) compared with simple Sn(II)‐based catalysts (SnO, SnCl₂ · 2H₂O), which produce PLLA with an M_w of less than 30,000 after 20 h. The new catalyst system is also superior to the conventional systems in regard to racemization and discoloration of the resultant polymer. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1673–1679, 2000     

Aluminum phosphate-based solid acid catalysts: Facile synthesis,characterization and their application in the esterification of propanoic acid with n-butanol

Novel solid acid catalysts synthesized from aluminum phosphate were prepared via a precipitation method and a subsequent sulfating treatment. Their catalytic performances for the esterification of propanoic acid with n-butanol were investigated. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD), infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine, and other techniques. Experimental results of esterification reactions indicated that the calcination temperature can significantly affect the catalytic performances and the catalyst calcined at 500 °C (SO₄²⁻/AlPO₄-500) exhibited the highest activity. The effects of different reaction conditions including reaction time, reaction temperature, catalyst amount and alcohol/acid molar ratio were studied in detail. The maximum propanoic acid conversion of 91% was achieved under optimum reaction conditions. Furthermore, the as-prepared SO₄²⁻/AlPO₄-500 catalysts were tested for their reusability in repeated reaction cycles and could be effectively regenerated by a simple reactivation method.     

Improved sample preparation method for glycan analysis of glycoproteins by CE‐LIF and CE‐MS

CE is a high‐resolution separation technique broadly used in the biotechnology industry for carbohydrate analysis. The standard sample preparation protocol for CE analysis of glycans released from glycoproteins generally requires derivatization times of overnight at 37°C, using ≥100 fold excess of fluorophore reagent, 8‐aminopyrene‐1,3,6‐trisulfonic‐acid, if the sample is unknown, or it is a regulated biotherapeutic product, possibly containing terminal sialic acid(s). In this paper, we report on significant improvements for the standard CE sample preparation method of glycan analysis. By replacing the conventionally used acetic acid catalyst with citric acid, as low as 1:10 glycan to fluorophore molar ratio (versus the typical 1:≥100 ratio) maintained the >95% derivatization yield at 55°C with only 50 min reaction time. Terminal sialic acid loss was negligible at 55°C during the derivatization process, and indicating that the kinetics of labeling at 55°C was faster than the loss of sialic acid from the glycan. The reduced relative level of 8‐aminopyrene‐1,3,6‐trisulfonic‐acid simplified the removal of excess reagent, important in both CE‐LIF (electrokinetic injection bias) and CE‐MS (ion suppression). Coupling CE‐ ESI‐MS confirmed that the individual peaks separated by CE corresponded to single glycans and increased the confidence of structural assignment based on glucose unit values.