Samarium-exchanged Heteropoly Tungstate: An Efficient Solid Acid Catalyst for the Synthesis of Glycerol Carbonate from Glycerol and Benzylation of Anisole

• Published in: ChemCatChem Vol. 4; no. 9; pp. 1360 - 1367
• Main Authors: Kumar, Ch. Ramesh, Jagadeeswaraiah, K., Prasad, P. S. Sai, Lingaiah, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.09.2012; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: alkylation; biomass; Lewis acids; samarium; tungsten
• ISSN: 1867-3880; 1867-3899
• DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201200110

Samarium‐exchanged heteropoly tungstate (SmxTPA) is an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and urea. The catalysts with varying Sm content were prepared and characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy, XRD, laser Raman spectroscopy, temperature‐programmed desorption of ammonia, and X‐ray photo electron spectroscopy. The activity of the catalysts is related to the Lewis and Brønsted acidity, which depends on the Sm content in the catalysts. Partially exchanged SmxTPA catalyst showed high activity, owing to a higher number of Lewis acidic sites. The catalyst exhibited consistent activity and selectivity during recycling. A plausible reaction mechanism is presented. The catalyst also exhibited high activity in the acid‐catalyzed benzylation of anisole. It′s all about the exchange: Smexchanged heteropoly tungstate catalyzes the synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and urea. The catalyst activity is related to the Lewis and Brønsted acidity, which depends on the Sm content in the catalysts. Partially exchanged SmxTPA catalyst showed high activity, owing to a higher number of Lewis acidic sites. The catalyst also exhibited high activity in the acidcatalyzed benzylation of anisole.