Abstract
A series of Mg–Al hydrotalcites (HTCs) calcined at different temperatures were evaluated for their suitability as solid base catalysts for the selective synthesis of trimethylolpropane triesters (TMPTEs) via transesterification of trimethylolpropane (TMP) with a mixture of C8–C10 fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). The effect of potassium fluoride (KF) loading of the calcined HTCs on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of the materials attained was ascertained. Using a 5 wt% catalyst loading and a FAME:TMP molar ratio of 3.5:1 at 170°C for 8 h, the Mg–Al mixed oxide obtained by calcining HTC at 500°C (HTC-500) gave the highest TMPTE selectivity and FAME conversion. Impregnating HTC-500 with 10 wt% KF (KF/HTC-500) generated strongly basic KMgF3, KOH, K2O, and coordinatively unsaturated F− sites. The FAME conversion and TMPTE yield obtained over different HTC and KF/HTC-500 catalysts depended on their total basicity, where a basic strength of 15 < H_ < 18.4 was required for optimal TMPTE selectivity. The KF/HTC-500 calcined at 500°C was the most suitable catalyst and showed a superior performance to NaOCH3, a common homogeneous base for the polyol ester production.
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