Influences of Magnesium Content in Rehydrated Mixed Oxides on Furfural Conversion

• Main Authors: Kocík Jaroslav, Kolena Jiří, Akhmetzyanova Uliana, Tišler Zdeněk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
• Series: Catalysts
• Subjects: Mg/Fe LDH; rehydration; aldol condensation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/10/12/1484

In this study, Mg-Fe catalysts with various molar ratio (Mg/Fe 1:1-10:1), prepared by calcination and subsequent rehydration of hydrotalcite structures, were characterized, tested and evaluated as suitable catalysts for the aldol condensation of furfural with acetone. XRD analyses confirmed that the layered structure was completely restored by rehydration in the catalysts with Mg:Fe molar ratio 3:1 and 4:1. TPD-CO₂ showed that the catalysts of this molar ratio had the highest basicity. Rehydrated Mg-Fe catalysts were tested in aldol condensation carried out in a glass batch reactor at 60 °C, atmospheric pressure, 2 wt% of catalyst and acetone/furfural molar ratio 10:1. The catalysts with Mg/Fe molar ratio of 3:1 and 4:1 showed total furfural conversion. As high basicity causes a high activity of the catalyst, our results suggest that the rehydrated mixed oxides with molar ratio 3 to 4:1 were promising new catalysts for the aldol condensation of furfural with acetone.