Open AccessSelective Hydrodeoxygenation of Esters to Unsymmetrical Ethers over a Zirconium Oxide-Supported Pt–Mo Catalyst
Author(s) -
Katsumasa Sakoda,
Sho Yamaguchi,
Takato Mitsudome,
Tomoo Mizugaki
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
jacs au
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2691-3704
DOI - 10.1021/jacsau.1c00535
Subject(s) - hydrodeoxygenation , catalysis , chemistry , molybdenum , zirconium , oxide , platinum , organic chemistry , inorganic chemistry , selectivity
The catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of carbonyl oxygen in esters using H 2 is an attractive method for synthesizing unsymmetrical ethers because water is theoretically the sole coproduct. Herein, we report a heterogeneous catalytic system for the selective HDO of esters to unsymmetrical ethers over a zirconium oxide-supported platinum-molybdenum catalyst (Pt-Mo/ZrO 2 ). A wide range of esters were transformed into the corresponding unsymmetrical ethers under mild reaction conditions (0.5 MPa H 2 at 100 °C). The Pt-Mo/ZrO 2 catalyst was also successfully applied to the conversion of a biomass-derived triglyceride into the corresponding triether. Physicochemical characterization and control experiments revealed that cooperative catalysis between Pt nanoparticles and neighboring molybdenum oxide species on the ZrO 2 surface plays a key role in the highly selective HDO of esters. This Pt-Mo/ZrO 2 catalyst system offers a highly efficient strategy for synthesizing unsymmetrical ethers and broadens the scope of sustainable reaction processes.