One-Pot Transformation of Citronellal to Menthol Over H-Beta Zeolite Supported Ni Catalyst: Effect of Catalyst Support Acidity and Ni Loading

Abstract Citronellal was converted to menthol in a one-pot approach using H-Beta zeolite-based Ni catalyst batch reactor at 80 °C, under 20 bar of total pressure. The effects acidity (H-Beta-25 with the molar ratio SiO 2 /Al O 3 = 25 and H-Beta-300 300) loading (5, 10 15 wt %) on catalytic performance were investigated. impregnated support evaporation-impregnation method. physico-chemical properties catalysts characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, ICP-OES, N physisorption, TPR, pyridine adsorption–desorption FTIR techniques. Activity selectivity strongly affected Brønsted Lewis acid sites concentration strength, loading, its particle size dispersion. A synergetic effect appropriate suitable wt.% Ni/H-Beta-25 led best giving 36% yield menthols 77% stereoselectivity ( ±)-menthol isomer 93% citronellal conversion. Moreover, successfully regenerated reused similar activity, desired as fresh one. Graphical