Catalytic efficiency of various ion-exchanged forms of Erionite zeolite for the synthesis of 2-methylquinoxaline

Abstract

Erionite zeolite was successfully converted into various ion-exchanged forms to be used as catalysts. These catalysts were characterized by various techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Brunauer Emmet Teller (BET) surface area measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Their activity was tested by quite simple and selective method for the synthesis of 2-methylquinoxaline that showed excellent results at shorter reaction time for all catalysts with maximum yield of 88.0% for H+-Erionite at room temperature in 1h. Reaction was found to increase with catalytic dose and reaction temperature and at 100 °C the yield of 2-methylquinoxaline was found to be 99.4%. BET surface area, NH3-TPD values and activity of catalysts was found to decrease in the order of increasing size of exchanged ion (Cs+< K+< Li+<H+). All catalysts were recycled many times with negligible loss in activity showing their stability.