Highly productive xylose dehydration using a sulfonic acid functionalized KIT-6 catalyst. (15th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tran, Thi Tuong Vi; Kongparakul, Suwadee; Karnjanakom, Surachai; Reubroycharoen, Prasert; Guan, Guoqing; Chanlek, Narong; Samart, Chanatip
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 236(2019)
• Page Start: 1156
• Page End: 1163
• Publication Date: 2019-01-15
• Subjects: SO3H-KIT-6 -- Furan -- Xylose -- Dehydration -- Biofuel; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2018.09.089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The SO3 H-KIT-6 catalyst allowed for a high conversion rate in the xylose dehydration reaction. The 3-D structure of KIT-6 is important for overcoming the pore diffusion limit. Both high xylose conversion and furfural selectivity were obtained in over 94%. Abstract: A highly efficient and selective dehydration of xylose to furfural was achieved using a sulfonic acid-functionalized, mesoporous silica KIT-6 type catalyst in a water/toluene biphasic system. The catalyst was prepared by co-condensation between tetraethoxysilane and 3-mercaptopropyl(methyl)dimethoxysilane, in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (Pluronic, P123, Mw = 5800). The catalytic performance was then investigated with respect to the molar ratio of tetraethoxysilane and 3-mercaptopropyl(methyl)dimethoxysilane, as well as the reaction temperature and reaction time. The optimal catalyst was prepared using tetraethoxysilane and 3-mercaptopropyl(methyl)dimethoxysilane in a molar ratio of 0.8:0.2, giving both high xylose conversion and furfural selectivity (greater than 94%) at 170 °C for 2 h. In addition, the catalyst had a high turnover frequency and could be reused without treatment for up to three cycles. The high turnover frequency in the xylose dehydration reaction was attributed to the three-dimensional structure of the KIT-6 mesoporous silica that facilitates the diffusion of both the reactant and products in the xylose dehydration reaction.