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Mechanistic insights into furfuryl alcohol based biofuel production over phosphotungstate catalysts

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Abstract

A one-step direct alkylation method for synthesizing butyl levulinate from butyl alcohol and furfuryl alcohol has been explored. This process is carried out under reflux, at ~ 120 °C for 2 h and utilizes a catalyst. Catalysts are based on phosphotungstic acid; the catalysts are modified via cation exchange, producing several cesium, copper and silver based phosphotungstates. Of these, the greatest activity and selectivity towards butyl levulinate was achieved over the Cu0.5H2[PW12O40] catalyst, with 100% conversion and a butyl levulinate selectivity of 69%. Various side reactions are also observed, with products that may also be suitable for biofuel applications. A detailed product analysis has been performed, and likely reaction schemes for these products have been determined. Overall, these results demonstrate an efficient method for butyl levulinate production from biomass-derived sources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Sciences, St. Philip’s College, 1801 Martin Luther King Blvd., San Antonio, TX, 78203, USA

    Laura Robichaux & Shane Kendell

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  1. Laura Robichaux
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  2. Shane Kendell
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Correspondence to Shane Kendell.

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Robichaux, L., Kendell, S. Mechanistic insights into furfuryl alcohol based biofuel production over phosphotungstate catalysts. Reac Kinet Mech Cat 129, 29–40 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11144-019-01696-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11144-019-01696-5

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