Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone over zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks. Issue 16 (8th July 2016) - Valekar, Anil H.
Abstract : A series of zirconium-based MOFs with different ligand functionalities and porosities were applied for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to form γ-valerolactone, using isopropanol as a hydrogen donor. Abstract : A series of highly crystalline, porous, zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) with different ligand functionalities and porosities were applied for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate (EL) to form γ-valerolactone (GVL), using isopropanol as a hydrogen donor. The roles of the ligand functionality and the metal center of the Zr-MOFs were identified and reaction parameters optimized, for selective production of GVL. The maximum yield of GVL (up to 92.7%) was achieved in 2 h at 200 °C with UiO-66(Zr). Interestingly, zirconium trimesate (MOF-808) emerged as the most suitable candidate, with the highest GVL formation rate (94.4 μmol g −1 min −1 ) among the catalysts tested at 130 °C. It was also found to be effective in conversion of EL to GVL in an open system using the solvent refluxing method. Both the catalysts (UiO-66(Zr) and MOF-808) were recycled at least five times under their specified reaction conditions without a notable change in catalytic activity and product selectivity. Fresh and recycled catalysts were characterized in detail using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to understand the stability and structural changes that occurred in the catalysts. Finally, a plausible reaction mechanism was presented on the basis of active sites present in catalysts confirmed by characterization results.