Catalytic production of γ-valerolactone from xylose over delaminated Zr-Al-SCM-1 zeolite via a cascade process

• Published in: Journal of catalysis Vol. 392; pp. 175 - 185
• Main Authors: Li, Xiangcheng, Yuan, Xiaohong, Xia, Guopeng, Liang, Jun, Liu, Chuang, Wang, Zhendong, Yang, Weimin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Biomass; Multifunctional zeolite; Xylose; γ-Valerolactone; Xylose; Biomass; Multifunctional zeolite; γ-Valerolactone
• ISSN: 0021-9517; 1090-2694
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2020.10.004

[Display omitted] •Zr incorporated SCM-1 with delaminated structure was prepared by a post-synthesized method.•Zr-Al-SCM-1 zeolites are active in conversion of furfural and xylose to GVL.•As high as 36.4% yield of GVL was achieved from xylose with excellent stability over Zr-Al-SCM-1 (4). A series of delaminated MWW-type Zr-Al-SCM-1 zeolites with large external surface area have been synthesized through a post-synthesized method by partial dealumination of SCM-1 and Zr incorporation based on parent SCM-1 zeolite, and used in the conversion of furfural and xylose to γ-valerolactone (GVL). The characterization of catalysts using XRD, FTIR, 29Si NMR, Raman, UV–vis and XPS spectroscopy confirmed the preservation of the parent SCM-1 zeolite network as well as the incorporation of Zr atoms into the zeolite framework with tetrahedral coordination. NH3-TPD and Py-FTIR spectroscopy reveal that the Zr-Al-SCM-1 zeolites possess both Brønsted and Lewis acid sites. When they are applied to the one-pot cascade conversion of furfural, a remarkable GVL yield of 47.3% with 85.6% carbon balance is obtained at 170 °C after 28 h. When considering xylose as starting substrate, up to 36.4% yield of GVL is achieved over Zr-Al-SCM-1 zeolites with excellent recyclability at 170 °C after 48 h. Moreover, the catalyst shows far superior catalytic performance and stability compared to the commercial MCM-22 based zeolites (Zr-Al-MCM-22).