MCM-41 supported Mo/Zr mixed oxides as catalysts in liquid phase condensation of 2-methylfuran with acetone

Molybdenum and zirconium mixed oxides were supported on siliceous MCM-41 mesoporous material. The resultant materials were characterized with various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), XANES, NH3-TPD, and Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra (DRIFTS) of pyridine. It was found that the well-ordered channeling pores of MCM-41 were retained with a maximum loading of 9 wt.% MoO3 and 13 wt.% ZrO2. The ZrMo2O8 crystallites appeared with an even higher loading. The materials had surface areas greater than 500 m2/g and a relatively narrow pore size distribution. MoO3 and ZrO2 were well dispersed inside the pores of MCM-41. The Mo(VI) was found in octahedral coordination when no ZrMo2O8 crystallites were detected. The MoO3/ZrO2/MCM-41 samples contained only Lewis acid sites. Although NH3-TPD experiments indicated that its acid strength was weaker than that of Y-zeolite, the MoO3/ZrO2/MCM-41 materials were excellent catalysts for liquid phase condensation of 2-methylfuran (MF) with acetone to form 2,2-bis(5-methylfuryl)propane (BMP). © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.