Preparation of ZrO 2 /Na-β and ZrO 2 /H-β catalysts and their catalytic performance for the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reaction of cyclohexanone and isopropanol

• Published in: Journal of chemical research Vol. 47; no. 4
• Main Authors: Dong, Lin-hui, Meng, Fan-fei, Liu, Li-ye, Qiu, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2023
• ISSN: 1747-5198; 2047-6507
• DOI: 10.1177/17475198231185064

ZrO 2 /Na-β and ZrO 2 /H-β catalysts are prepared by the reflux impregnation method and are applied to the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction of cyclohexanone and isopropanol. The catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrum, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, N 2 isothermal adsorption and desorption, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The products are identified by gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry and analyzed by gas chromatography. The experimental results showed that ZrO 2 /H-β exhibits higher catalytic activity for the above Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction because ZrO 2 /H-β has both Zr 4+ and Al 3+ ion acid centers, which provide the moderately strong acid needed for the reaction. Under optimized conditions, ZrO 2 /H-β(6) is used as the catalyst, and the conversion rate of cyclohexanone was 92.0% as determined by the area-normalized calculation based on cyclohexanone. The catalyst can be regenerated by programmed heating calcination. The conversion rate of cyclohexanone decreased to 79.4% after five recycling cycles, and its service life needs further study to be improved.