(639k) Conversion of Carboxylic Acids to Linear Olefins By Combined Hydrogenation/Dehydration Reactions
AIChE Annual Meeting
2017
2017 Annual Meeting
Topical Conference: Thermal Deconstruction of Biomass
Poster Session: Thermal Deconstruction
Wednesday, November 1, 2017 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
In the present study, we have studied the one-pot catalytic conversion of linear aliphatic carboxylic acids to linear olefins via tandem hydrogenation/dehydration reactions. Hexanoic acid was converted to a mixture of hexenes over Cu nanoparticles supported on commercial silica-alumina (Siral 70) in a continuous flow reactor. The combination of the hydrogenation properties of earth-abundant Cu and the acid sites on silica-alumina allows hydrogenation and dehydration to occur simultaneously, a process that normally calls for different reaction conditions. At 483 K and 5 bar H2 gauge pressure, we obtained 98.5% conversion of hexanoic acid, with a molar product distribution of 88.9% hexenes and 11.1% hexane. Remarkably, we observed a brusque selectivity switch to 99.9% hexane at 100% conversion. We hypothesize that the presence of a small amount of hexanoic acid on the surface of the catalyst prevents overhydrogenation of the hexenes. Current efforts are targeted at reaction kinetic studies as well as surface studies using FT-IR spectroscopy to ascertain the nature of this selectivity switch. Process runs using carboxylic acids produced from biomass fermentation will also be carried out to ensure process compatibility.