Premium
Regulating Aromatic Alcohols Distributions by Cofeeding Methanol with Ethanol over Cobalt‐Hydroxyapatite Catalyst
Author(s) -
Zhou BaiChuan,
Wang QingNan,
Weng XueFei,
He Lei,
Li WenCui,
Lu AnHui
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.202000010
Subject(s) - methanol , chemistry , oxygenate , catalysis , organic chemistry , alcohol , formaldehyde , acrolein , acetaldehyde , cobalt , benzyl alcohol , ethanol , yield (engineering) , materials science , metallurgy
Aromatic alcohols, often used for the synthesis of plasticizers, coatings and pharmaceuticals, are currently produced from the oxidation of petroleum‐derived aromatic hydrocarbons. Herein, we report a non‐petroleum and environmentally friendly route for the production of aromatic alcohols: cofeeding methanol with ethanol over cobalt‐hydroxyapatite catalyst, in which the distribution of aromatic alcohols products can be regulated by varying methanol pressure. Co species on hydroxyapatite can activate both methanol and ethanol to yield their corresponding aldehydes (formaldehyde and acetaldehyde). The followed cross‐ and self‐condensations of aldehydes are catalyzed by hydroxyapatite to produce acrolein and 2‐butenal, which are the key intermediates for the formation of aromatic oxygenates. The sequential cross‐condensation and dehydrocyclization of acrolein and 2‐butenal yield benzaldehyde, which is then hydrogenated to benzyl alcohol. The direct production of benzyl alcohol from methanol and ethanol could be regarded as a cutting‐edge example, which ensures a promising route for sustainable aromatic alcohols production.