Abstract
In this work, we report the incorporation of nickel oxide nanoparticles into a metal–organic framework (MOF) structure by a solvent-free mechanochemical strategy. In particular, the zirconium-based MOF UiO-66 was modified with different Ni loadings and characterized using complementary techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 porosimetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalytic potential of the as-prepared Ni/UiO-66 materials in the hydrogenation reaction of methyl levulinate using 2-propanol as hydrogen donor solvent has been investigated under flow conditions. Under optimized conditions, the 5%Ni/UiO-66 led to the best catalytic performance (70% yield, 100% selectivity to gamma-valerolactone), which could be attributed to the higher content of the Ni species within the MOF structure. The obtained results are promising and contribute to highlighting the great potential of MOFs in biomass upgrading processes, opening the path to the sustainable development of the chemical industry.
Highlights
Mas Ballesté and José AlemánPopulation growth, spreading industrialization, and improving living standards, alongwith the associated per-capita consumption, are diminishing natural resources, non-renewable fossil-derived reserves
Our group has reported the use of a zirconium-based metal–organic framework (MOF), UiO66, to carry out the transformation of methyl levulinate (ML) to GVL via catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) under continuous flow [12]
It is worth noting that the conversion of ML into GVL is carried out using isopropanol as a hydrogen donor and under flow conditions, which is an alternative from an industrial point of view
Summary
Population growth, spreading industrialization, and improving living standards, alongwith the associated per-capita consumption, are diminishing natural resources, non-renewable fossil-derived reserves. The unique structural features of MOFs promote the metal dispersion and avoid metal leaching, and they can be modified with additional functionalities, thereby leading to outstanding catalytic performance in a myriad of different chemical transformations [9,10,11], including, for example, the production of GVL [12,13,14] In this regard, our group has reported the use of a zirconium-based MOF, UiO66, to carry out the transformation of methyl levulinate (ML) to GVL via catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) under continuous flow [12]. It is worth noting that the conversion of ML into GVL is carried out using isopropanol as a hydrogen donor (no requirement for high-pressure molecular H2 ) and under flow conditions, which is an alternative from an industrial point of view
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