Abstract
Abstract The present article demonstrates esterification of two model bioplatform molecules, succinic acid with n-butanol and glycerol with acetic acid using a green and sustainable catalyst based on 12-tungstosilicic acid (TSA) and nano-porous MCM-48 (nMCM-48). A detailed optimization study for both the transformations has been carried out. The catalyst contributes astoundingly in terms of almost complete conversion and higher selectivity for desired esters (98% conversion, 84% diester selectivity for succinate esterification and 97% conversion, 81% DAG + TAG selectivity for glycerol esterification). Furthermore, admirable TOFs, 153 h−1 for succinate and 484 h−1 for glycerol esterification have been found and the mechanistic pathway is proposed. The catalytic activity of the present catalyst is compared with that of the reported ones. The recycling studies have been performed and calculated the Green Chemistry metrics (atom economy and E-factor) to validate the sustainable nature of the catalyst.
NETL
NSTL
Springer Nature