Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Activity of UiO-66-NH2 in the Esterification of Levulinic Acid

The massive use of petroleum and its possible exhaustion are driving the current research trend to study alternative raw materials from biomass for organic reactions. In this context, present article presents a catalytic esterification levulinic acid, platform molecule, with ethanol. Metal-organic framework (MOF) type compounds UiO-66-NH2 have been synthesized. Zirconium was incorporated, using zirconium chloride as metal precursor, together 2-aminoterephthalic acid an binding agent. An route synthesis proposed more favorable conditions economic environmental point view, replacing dimethylformamide by 50 75% acetone substitute solvent. physicochemical properties were evaluated X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared Spectrometry Fourier Transform (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), microwave plasma atomic emission (MP-AES) N2 adsorption understand their morphology, crystalline, chemical pore structure. progress reaction followed gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. activity result MOF25% in autoclave reactor, showed 100% selectivity ethyl levulinate turnover number (TON) 66.18 moles product/moles Zr. This good performance obtained partial solvent replacement synthetic material provides economical eco-friendly process generation.