Synthesis of Propylene Carbonate from Propane-1,2-diol and Urea Using Hydrotalcite-Derived Catalysts

Abstract

Propylene carbonate is an important organic carbonate having wide applications. In the present work, thermodynamic analysis of propylene carbonate synthesis routes was performed. Benson group contribution method and Rozicka–Domalski model were used to estimate the heat of formation and the heat capacities of some of the components, respectively. Urea alcoholysis was found to be a favorable method for producing propylene carbonate under mild conditions. This route was further studied experimentally using various MgAl and ZnAl hydrotalcite derived catalysts. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 adsorption–desorption, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Yield of PC was found to be strongly correlated to the basicity of catalysts. Addition of a third element, Ca or La, was found to reduce the surface area of the catalysts. Fluorinated MgAlO (MgAlO-F) was found to possess greater basicity than MgAlO and greater catalyt...