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Synthesis of Highly Accessible Gallosilicates via Impregnation Procedure: Enhanced Catalytic Performances in the Conversion of Glycerol into Solketal
Author(s) -
Hussein Hussein,
Vivian Alvise,
Fusaro Luca,
Devillers Michel,
Aprile Carmela
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.202001172
Subject(s) - catalysis , mesoporous material , leaching (pedology) , glycerol , acetone , methanol , chemistry , chemical engineering , particle size , heterogeneous catalysis , specific surface area , organic chemistry , materials science , environmental science , soil science , engineering , soil water
Two mesoporous gallosilicates with extra‐small particle size were synthesized via wet impregnation starting from lactate or citrate‐type Ga(III) precursors. The structural and textural properties of the materials were extensively characterized by different techniques. Both materials consist of nanosized particles and display a remarkably high surface area and a pore size distribution typical of mesoporous MCM‐41‐like materials. The two solids were tested as catalysts in acetalization of glycerol with acetone to produce solketal (2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐4‐methanol). Both catalysts displayed excellent performances and achieved higher turnover numbers compared to other Ga‐silicates reported in literature. The outstanding activity of these catalysts is attributed to the combination of acidity, large specific surface area as well as to the full accessibility of the active sites as consequence of the impregnation procedure. The best catalysts are truly heterogeneous with absence of Ga leaching and reusable in successive catalytic cycles after thermal treatment without significant deterioration of the catalytic performance.