Synthesis of fine chemicals over zeolitic and microporous/mesoporous materials

Abstract

Microporous zeolitic materials and micro-mesoporous materials are widely used as supports and catalysts for the synthesis of fine chemicals because of their catalytically desirable properties.In this thesis, zeolite Zr-beta, Zr-beta supported metal and several micro-mesoporous materials (MSU-Y, MM-beta and Beta/SBA15) were synthesized. The samples characterized by XRD, IR, 27Al-MAS NMR, 29Si-MAS NMR, 129Xe NMR, SEM, TEM and TPD and tested for catalytic activity in the synthesis of fine chemicals. Micro-mesoporous material MSU-Y and zeolite Zr-beta were found to be effective catalysts for the cyclisation of citronellall. The addition of nickel to zeolite Zr-beta gave a useful bifunctional and diastereoselective catalyst for synthesis (A?)menthol from both citronellal and citral. Additionally, zeolite Zr-beta supported rhodium exhibited high activity and stereoselectivity for hydrogenation of 4-tert-butylphenol and p-cresol to the corresponding cis-4-alkylcyclohexanol in 2-propanol. Finally, the catalytic activity of the synthesized micro-mesoporous materials Beta/SBA15 and MM-beta were investigated over alkoxylation of limonene.