Abstract
Post-grafting methodologies were used to prepare aryl-organosulfonic acid functionalized silica nanoparticles (SO3H-aryl-SiO2NPs) as highly active heterogeneous acid catalysts for catalytic esterification of free fatty acids (FFA) and levulinic acid (LA), and aldol condensation of furfural with 3-methylfuran, well known renewable feedstocks for biodiesel and fuel additives production. The chemical and structural characterization of the SO3H-aryl-SiO2NPs confirmed the success of the functionalization. Complete conversion for all FFA was observed using SO3H-aryl-SiO2NPs after 2 h of reaction. SiO2NPs_CSPTMS showed to be the most active and stable catalyst with no significant loss of activity in the first 5 cycles. In the LA esterification in the presence of an alcohol, complete conversion and selectivity and high reusability were observed (e.g., 83.2% yield after 10 cycles in the presence of 1-propanol, SiO2NPs10_CSPTMS, at 120 °C and 2h reaction). Finally, aldol condensation of furfural and 3-methylfuran had been performed using SiO2NPs_CSPTMS catalysts with almost 100% yield after 10 min at 65 °C, high stability and reusability for 7 catalytic cycles.In general, the prepared SO3H-aryl-SiO2NPs have demonstrated promising catalytic performance for transformation of biomass-derived feedstocks into biodiesel and fuel additives.
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