Ethane‐Bridged Organosilica Nanotubes Functionalized with Arenesulfonic Acid and Phenyl Groups for the Efficient Conversion of Levulinic Acid or Furfuryl Alcohol to Ethyl Levulinate. Issue 12 (20th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Daiyu; An, Sai; Sun, Yingnan; Zhang, Panpan; Guo, Yihang; Zhou, Dandan
• Is Part Of: ChemCatChem. Volume 8:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: 2037
• Page End: 2048
• Publication Date: 2016-05-20
• Subjects: biomass -- heterogeneous catalysis -- nanotubes -- organic–inorganic hybrid composites -- sol–gel processes; Catalysis -- Periodicals; 541.39505
• DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201600083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1867-3880

Abstract

Abstract: A series of ethane‐bridged organosilica nanotubes functionalized with arenesulfonic acid and phenyl groups (ArSO3 H‐Si(Et)Si‐Ph‐NTs) was fabricated successfully by a P123‐directed sol–gel co‐condensation route combined with hydrothermal treatment with a carefully adjusted P123‐to‐bis‐silylated organic precursor‐to‐HCl molar ratio in the starting system. The morphological characteristics, textural properties, Brønsted acidity, surface hydrophobicity, and structural integrity of the carbon/silica framework were characterized. The ArSO3 H‐Si(Et)Si‐Ph‐NTs materials were applied in the synthesis of ethyl levulinate from the esterification of levulinic acid and the ethanolysis of furfuryl alcohol, and the excellent catalytic activity was explained in terms of the strong Brønsted acidity, unique hollow nanotube morphology, and enhanced surface hydrophobicity. Reusability tests confirmed that ArSO3 H‐Si(Et)Si‐Ph‐NTs can be reused for three or five times without a significant loss of activity. Abstract : On the tube : One‐dimensional hollow tubular ArSO3 H‐Si(Et)Si‐Ph hybrid nanocatalysts exhibit excellent catalytic activity and stability in the synthesis of ethyl levulinate from biomass‐derived platform compound levulinic acid or furfuryl alcohol.