Promoting Effect of Copper Loading and Mesoporosity on Cu-MOR in the Carbonylation of Dimethyl Ether to Methyl Acetate

Cu-mordenite (Cu-MOR) catalysts with different copper loadings were prepared, characterized and examined in continuous, gas-flow synthesis of methyl acetate (MA) by dimethyl ether (DME) carbonylation. Improved activity selectivity observed for Cu-MOR up to 1 wt% Cu X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) temperature-programmed reduction hydrogen (H2-TPR) used elucidate the state catalysts. Moreover, mesoporous MOR (RHMs) prepared mild stepwise recrystallization powder diffraction (XRPD) ammonia desorption (NH3-TPD) demonstrating retained structure acid property catalysts, respectively. The RHM showed improved lifetime compared pristine giving a yield 78% MA 93% after 5 h on stream (GHSV = 6711 h−1). Under identical reaction conditions, Cu-RHM had an even higher catalytic durability resulting 90% 97% 7–8 operation as well lower coke formation.