Tailoring Active Sites in ITQ-2 Zeolite for Selective Production of γ-Valerolactone from Furfural.

Abstract

Selective production of γ-valerolactone (GVL) from furfural requires a combination of factors, such as optimal balance of active sites and their synergistic interactions, as well as the accessibility of reactants to these active sites. In this work, a trifunctional catalyst possessing Lewis and Brønsted acidic sites and Lewis basic sites has been found to be an active catalyst for the production of GVL from furfural. The exposed silanol groups on the surface of 2D zeolites provide ideal anchoring points for Zr-grafting, yielding isolated Lewis-acidic Zr4+ sites. Owing to their larger external surface area, readily accessible active sites, and the interplay between Lewis and Brønsted acidic sites, these multifunctional 2D zeolites perform remarkably well in the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural. The acidic sites of the Zr-grafted ITQ-2 catalysts were further modulated via controlled dealumination and potassium-ion exchange. These modifications resulted in a significant improvement in the yield and selectivity of GVL. In particular, potassium-ion exchange boosted the GVL selectivity to 77% (yield 65%) under optimized reaction conditions due to its trifunctional active sites.

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