Conversion of diols by dehydrogenation and dehydration reactions on

PABLO A. TORRESI; V. K. DIEZ; PABLO J. LUGGREN; JUANA I. DI COSIMO

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Congreso; 24th. Meeting of the North American Catalysis Society; 2015

North American Catalysis Society

Molecules containing multiple OH groups present potential applications as organic building blocks. Particularly, 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO) can be considered as a model molecule for the catalytic upgrade of polyols because it contains one primary and one secondary hydroxyl function. Thus, in this work we propose the gas-phase valorization of 1,3-BDO on Cu-Mg-Al mixed oxides that combine a metallic function (copper) with mild acid-base properties, and postulate a reaction pathway involving dehydrogenation and dehydration reactions. The initial dehydrogenation of 1,3-BDO leads to aldol compounds (group HY) used in pharmaceutical and food formulations and as organic synthesis intermediates. Initial 1,3-BDO dehydration yields unsaturated alcohols (group UOL) which are used in polymer industry. Consecutive dehydration, hydrogenation or isomerization reactions yield saturated and unsaturated ketones (group K) and saturated alcohols (group SOL) which are important intermediates for the synthesis of solvents, pesticides, terpenoids, as well as steroids and anticancer drugs.  The role of the size and amount of exposed Cu0 particles on 1,3-BDO conversion was investigated. We also elucidated the participation of the catalyst surface acid-base or metal site in determining the initial dehydration or dehydrogenation pathway