Abstract
With the development of large molecule hydrocarbon processes, mesoporous alumina which possesses high surface area with narrow pore size distribution has received a great deal of attention. However, its acid properties lack Bronsted acidity and showed only Lewis acid sites, making it an inactive solid catalyst in the alkylation of resorcinol, a reaction which requires the usage of solid acid catalysts with both Bronsted and Lewis acidity. In this study, in order to introduce Bronsted acidity to mesoporous alumina, sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and niobic acid (Nb2O5.nH2O) are introduced to the alumina. The reactivity of mesoporous alumina nanoparticles (MAN), Nb2O5.nH2O/MAN and H2SO4/MAN were tested out on the alkylation of resorcinol with methyl tert-butyl ether. No product was obtained using pure MAN, while both H2SO4/MAN and Nb2O5.nH2O/MAN managed to produce butylated resorcinol. Mesoporous alumina nanoparticles incorporated with sulfuric acid produced a greater amount of dibutylated resorcinol, which theoretically is a better antioxidant compared to monobutylated resorcinol. The reusability of the H2SO4/MAN catalyst was also better as dibutylated product was still obtained even in the second use. This indicates that sulfuric acid has created a more stable and also higher strength of Bronsted acidity in alumina as compared to niobic acid.
Highlights
Introduction and PreliminariesFriedel-Crafts reactions are of considerable importance in the productions of fine chemicals [1]
The use of homogenous conventional Lewis and Bronsted acid catalyst such as AlCl3, BF3, FeCl3, ZnCl2, H2SO4, HCl and HF lead to several problems such as they need more than stoichiometric amount because of complexation of reactant or product, disposal of potentially highly polluting and toxic wastes and corrosiveness [2]
The present study was aimed at understanding the reactivity of incorporated niobic acid and sulfuric acid on mesoporous alumina nanoparticles in the alkylation of resorcinol with tert-butyl methyl ether
Summary
Introduction and PreliminariesFriedel-Crafts reactions are of considerable importance in the productions of fine chemicals [1]. Many industrial processes for the production of pharmaceutical products, fragrances, antioxidant, paint additives, cosmetics and others involve an intermediate step that is the Friedel-Crafts reaction. This type of reaction requires the present of acidic catalyst in order to allow the reaction to proceed at a convenient rate. The use of homogenous conventional Lewis and Bronsted acid catalyst such as AlCl3, BF3, FeCl3, ZnCl2, H2SO4, HCl and HF lead to several problems such as they need more than stoichiometric amount because of complexation of reactant or product, disposal of potentially highly polluting and toxic wastes and corrosiveness [2]. Mesoporous alumina is an interesting material with a high surface area and a narrow pore size distribution in a mesopore region, and has been synthesized using various templates such as polyethylene
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