Catalytic acetalization of glycerol to solketal using mesoporous silica, Cu-FSM-16

Abstract

FSM-16 and copper-incorporated Cu-FSM-16 catalysts with variable copper loadings were developed through the impregnation techniques respectively. It was used by acetalization reaction for the transformation of glycerol to solketal. The surface morphology, mesoporous structure, composition, and porosity of the prepared catalysts have been characterized by the SEM-EDAX, TEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS, and BET- surface area studies. Again, the quantification of acid sites of the catalyst was obtained from the Hammidt titration method. Furthermore, the main product (solketal) was present in the solution that was analyzed by NMR results. Moreover, maximum yield (76 %) is confirmed by using parameters with catalyst amount 7 wt% of glycerol quantity, molar ratio glycerol to acetone 1:2, time taken 2.5 h, and temperature 333 K. This catalyst has been shown consistent activity and reusability up to 4 cycles. LHHW kinetic model was also developed to find out the activation energy.