Journal Article

Characterization of KF/γ-Al₂O₃ Catalyst for the Synthesis of Diethyl Carbonate by Transesterification of Ethylene Carbonate

Yang, Bolun, Qi, Suitao, Qiu, Peng, Yi, Chunhai

2010

Overview

KF/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by impregnation method and investigated for the transesterification of ethylene carbonate (EC) with ethanol to synthesize diethyl carbonate (DEC). The KF/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, XRD and FT-IR techniques, and three new species: K₃AlF₆, KOH and K₂CO₃ were found on the catalysts. Experimental results indicate that KOH and K₂CO₃ are the major active species and K₃AlF₆ is inactive for DEC synthesis. Increasing the KF loading favors the formation of K₂CO₃ and consequently enhances the activity of the KF/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts. However, when KF loading exceeded 50 mmol/g, the activity of the KF/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts decreased. This may be due to the presence of intact KF on the catalyst, which may dilute the content of active species in the catalyst and cover the active species. The KF/γ-Al₂O₃ (50 mmol/g) catalyst exhibits the best catalytic performance. With this catalyst, a 72 mol% yield of DEC (based on EC) was obtained at 298 K. Graphical Abstract KF/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared and employed for diethyl carbonate (DEC) synthesis. Three new species: K₃AlF₆, KOH and K₂CO₃ were formed on the KF/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts. Among of them, KOH and K₂CO₃ are the major active species and K₃AlF₆ is inactive for DEC synthesis. [graphic removed]

• Publisher: Boston : Springer US,Springer US,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Alumina / Aluminum oxide / Catalysis / Catalysts / Chemical synthesis / Chemistry / Chemistry and Materials Science / Diethyl carbonate / Ethanol / Ethylene / Exact sciences and technology / General and physical chemistry / Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering / Organometallic Chemistry / Physical Chemistry / Potassium carbonate / Potassium fluoride / Surface physical chemistry / Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry / Transesterification / Transitional aluminas