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Conversion of γ‐Valerolactone to Ethyl Valerate over Metal Promoted Ni/ZSM‐5 Catalysts: Influence of Ni 0 /Ni 2+ Heterojunctions on Activity and Product Selectivity
Author(s) -
Velisoju Vijay Kumar,
Jampaiah Deshetti,
Gutta Naresh,
Bentrup Ursula,
Brückner Angelika,
Bhargava Suresh K.,
Akula Venugopal
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201901966
Subject(s) - catalysis , selectivity , chemistry , adsorption , metal , inorganic chemistry , nuclear chemistry , organic chemistry
Promoter (Cr, Mo and W) modified Ni/ZSM‐5 catalysts were explored in the vapor phase conversion of γ‐valerolactone (GVL) to ethyl valerate (EV; gasoline blender) at atmospheric pressure. Among the three different promoters (Cr, Mo and W) tested the Mo‐modified catalyst was found to be the best candidate. In addition, this catalyst was found to be stable up to 50 h reaction time with an insignificant decrease in activity. The good catalytic performance is related to an optimal ratio of acid and hydrogenation functions provided by Ni 2+ and Ni 0 , respectively. In situ FTIR spectroscopic studies revealed a strong adsorption of GVL on all catalysts which quickly reacts with dosed ethanol by formation of EV, most pronounced on the Mo‐modified catalyst, while VA was identified as side product. These findings suggest the preferred GVL ring opening by cracking the C−O bond on the methyl side of the GVL molecule on this type of catalysts leading to pentenoic acid as intermediate, which is quickly hydrogenated and esterified.