Cyanoethylation of alcohols and amines by cesium-modified zeolite Y

Abstract

Zeolite Y modified by cesium and magnesium ions was prepared by ion-exchange and impregnation methods, and its activity in the cyanoethylation of aliphatic and aromatic alcohols and amines was investigated. During the preparation of some samples, the transformation of zeolite Y into a pollucite-type phase occurred. This phase exhibited good activity in the cyanoethylation of aliphatic alcohols. The prepared solids modified by the impregnation method were more active than the ion-exchanged solids. The activities of the catalysts, in contrast to other basic solids, were scarcely affected by the presence of air or moisture. A correlation between catalyst basicity and catalytic activity is discussed. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, volumetric nitrogen adsorption surface area measurement, and CO 2 temperature-programmed desorption. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the particles of the modified nanocatalysts were < 40 nm. The reaction of acrylonitrile with linear alcohols in the presence of the catalysts was accelerated by microwave irradiation. Cesium-modified NaY prepared by ion-exchange or impregnation methods shows catalytic activity in the cyanoethylation reactions of various alcohols and amines.