The Influence of Iron Group Promoters on the Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate over CuY Catalysts Prepared via Modified Vapor Impregnation Method

Abstract

CuY and CuMY (M = Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts were prepared by modified vapor impregnation using cupric acetylacetonate as copper source and M acetylacetonate as promoter. The catalysts were evaluated in heterogeneous catalytic vapor phase oxidative carbonylation of methanol to dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The catalyst samples were analyzed by XRD, H2-TPR, XPS, CO-TPD, and NH3‑TPD, and their catalytic performance was assessed in a fixed-bed reactor. The experimental results indicate that all introduced species were well dispersed on zeolite Y, and the addition of iron group promoters have effect on the Cu+ contents, acidity and CO adsorption-desorption performance. Finally the influence of various promoters was examined with the aim of increasing space-time yield of DMC from methanol. Space-time yield of DMC was increased with the addition of iron group promoters in the order Fe < Co < Ni, but the selectivity follows the order of Fe < Ni < Co, respectively.