Environment-friendly synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds

A novel environment-friendly vapour phase synthesis of different classes of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds was developed using non-hazardous, commercially available and low cost feeds. 2-Methyl-8-ethylquinoline (MEQUI) was obtained from 2-ethylaniline (2-ETAN) and ethylene glycol (EG) or chloroethanol (CE), operating at high temperature in the presence of acid-treated K10 montmorillonite or ZnCl₂/K10 montmorillonite. At lower temperatures and using copper chromite catalysts, 7-ethylindole (7-ETI) or 5-ethylindole (5-ETI) were obtained from 2-ETAN or 4-ethylaniline (4-ETAN), respectively, and EG; excess of alkylaniline was required to avoid the formation of polyalkylated by-products. Mixing SiO₂ with the best copper chromite, made it possible to operate with higher LHSV values, thus improving the yield in alkylindoles. Finally, N-(2-ethylphenyl)pyrrole (EPP) and N-(2-ethylphenyl)pyrrolidine (EPD) were synthesised using a commercial copper chromite catalyst and feeding 2-ETAN and 2,3-dihydrofuran (DHF), EPP being favoured by high temperatures and absence of water in the feed. The possible reaction pathway for each synthesis is proposed, to evidence the key features of the best catalysts identified.     

Gold catalysts supported on mesoporous zirconia for low-temperature water–gas shift reaction

Mesoporous ZrO₂ with high surface area and uniform pore size distribution, synthesized by surfactant templating through a neutral [C₁₃(EO)₆–Zr(OC₃H₇)₄] assembly pathway, was used as a support of gold catalysts prepared by deposition–precipitation method. The supports and the catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption analysis, temperature programmed reduction and desorption. The catalytic activity of gold supported on mesoporous zirconia was evaluated in water–gas shift (WGS) reaction at wide temperature range (140–300 °C) and at different space velocities and H₂O/CO ratios. The catalytic behaviour and the reasons for а reversible deactivation of Au/mesoporous zirconia catalysts were studied. The influence of gold content and particle size on the catalytic performance was investigated. The WGS activity of the new Au/mesoporous zirconia catalyst was compared to the reference Au/TiO₂ type A (World Gold Council), revealing significantly higher catalytic activity of Au/mesoporous zirconia catalyst. It is found that the mesoporous zirconia is a very efficient support of gold-based catalyst for the WGS reaction.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene with CO2 over SnO2–ZrO2 mixed oxide nanocomposite catalysts

SnO₂–ZrO₂ nanocomposite catalysts with different compositions ranging from 0 to 100% of SnO₂ were prepared at room temperature by co-precipitation method using aqueous ammonia as a hydrolyzing agent. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopic characterization revealed the SnO₂–ZrO₂ nanocomposite behavior. Acid–base properties of these catalysts were ascertained by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of NH₃ and CO₂. Both acidic and basic sites distribution of the nanocomposite catalysts is quite different from those of respective single oxides (SnO₂ or ZrO₂). Catalytic activity of these nanocomposite catalysts for ethylbenzene dehydrogenation (EBD) to styrene in the presence of excess CO₂ was evaluated. The change in the acid–base bi-functionality of the nanocomposite catalysts in comparison with single oxides had profound positive influence in enhancing the catalytic activity.     

Effect of Zr-SBA-15 support on catalytic functionalities of Mo, CoMo, NiMo hydrotreating catalysts

SBA-15 and ZrO₂ (10–50 wt.%) containing SBA-15 mesoporous materials were prepared by direct and post-synthesis methods. Characterization using low angle XRD, pore size distribution, CO₂ chemisorption indicate that hexagonal mesoporous structure is retained even after ZrO₂ addition (25 wt.%). Mo, CoMo and NiMo catalysts prepared using these supports were examined by XRD, oxygen chemisorption, temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The catalysts were tested for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of thiophene and hydrogenation (HYD) of cyclohexene. HDS of thiophene for 8%Mo, 3%Co8%Mo, and 3%Ni8%Mo increases with increasing ZrO₂ loading in SBA-15 up to 25 wt.%. Oxygen chemisorption and TPR hydrogen consumption indicated that the molybdenum dispersion and anion vacancies, and catalytic activities are significantly influenced by ZrO₂ content in Zr-SBA-15. A comparison indicated that TiO₂-SBA-15, ZrO₂-SBA-15 supported CoMo catalysts show higher activities for hydrodesulfurization.     

Ni/ZrO2催化剂的制备及甲烷分步水蒸气重整反应性能

采用沉淀法制备了ZrO₂载体,进一步采用浸渍法制备了不同Ni负载量的Ni/ZrO₂催化剂。通过XRD、N₂物理吸附、H₂-TPR和H₂-TPD等表征手段对Ni/ZrO₂催化剂的物理结构和化学特性进行了研究,探讨了活性金属Ni物种的状态,并计算了Ni粒子的大小。随着Ni负载量的增加,Ni/ZrO₂催化剂的比表面积逐渐减小,金属Ni的分散度逐渐减小,Ni粒子尺寸逐渐增大,低温H₂脱附峰所占比例逐渐增大。当Ni负载量为10.2%（质量分数）时,Ni/ZrO₂催化剂上ZrO₂晶粒的平均尺寸和Ni粒子的尺寸大小均接近30nm。进一步考察了Ni/ZrO₂催化剂在甲烷分步水蒸气重整反应中的催化性能。结果表明,Ni负载量在一定范围内的Ni/ZrO₂催化剂对于甲烷分步水蒸气重整反应具有良好的催化性能,Ni负载量过高或过低均不利于甲烷的转化。当Ni负载量为10.2%时,载体ZrO₂粒子和金属Ni粒子尺寸匹配,Ni/ZrO₂催化剂表现出最佳的甲烷转化活性和稳定性。     

Reversible sorption–desorption of NOx by mixed oxides under various atmospheres

Characteristics of MnO_y–ZrO₂ and Pt–ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ as reversible sorbents of NO_x were investigated under dynamic changes in atmosphere. These sorbents can be used reversibly with a change of C₃H₈ concentration in the reaction gases. Catalytic reduction of NO occurred in the presence of propane, which was more pronounced on Pt–ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ than on MnO_y-ZrO₂ due to high activity of Pt surface for this reaction on MnO_y in MnO_y–ZrO₂. The sorption was observed as soon as the atmosphere changed from a reducing to an oxidizing one. This implies that a high equilibrium partial pressure of O₂ is necessary for NO uptake since the sorbed NO⁻₃ species becomes stable. The beginning of NO_x desorption atmospheres was somewhat dependent on the amount of stored NO_x. The presence of propane in the gas phase strongly affected the characteristic sorption and desorption properties of MnO_y–ZrO₂ and Pt–ZrO₂–Al₂O₃. The sorption and desorption properties are different for MnO_y–ZrO₂ and Pt–ZrO₂–Al₂O₃, since the noble metal or metal oxide possesses unique activity for the NO reaction with C₃H₈ and the amount of oxygen available for oxidative sorption of NO.     

Direct impregnation method for preparing sulfated zirconia supported on mesoporous silica

A new method has been developed to prepare sulfated zirconia (S–ZrO₂) supported on mesoporous silica. With direct exchange of metal containing precursors for the surfactants in the as-synthesized MCM-41 materials, the problem of fill-up of the mesoporous structure was avoided and high sulfur content was achieved. By using this method, the composite of S–ZrO₂/MCM-41 with ZrO₂ content higher than 60 wt.% can be easily obtained without serious blockage of the pore structure of MCM-41. Nevertheless, the pore size and pore volume of the resultant S–ZrO₂/MCM-41 composites were found to vary markedly with the loading of ZrO₂. The strong acidic character of the obtained composites was examined by using them as catalysts in n-butane isomerization. Introduction of other metals such as aluminum as promoter into S–ZrO₂/MCM-41 can be easily conducted by the direct impregnation method.     

Effect of rhodium on the properties of bifunctional MxOy/ZrO2 catalysts in the reduction of nitrogen oxides by hydrocarbons

The catalytic properties of transition metal oxides (Cr, Ce, and Co) supported on ZrO₂ synthesized by various methods, as well as the effect of rhodium on the performance of the M_xO_y/ZrO₂ oxide systems in NO reduction with hydrocarbons (methane, propane–butane mixture, and propene) were studied. Scanning electron microscopy, ammonia thermoprogrammed desorption (NH₃-TPD), XPS, and IR spectroscopy were used to study the physicochemical indices of rhodium-promoted M_xO_y/ZrO₂ oxide catalysts. The enhancement of the redox properties of the oxide catalysts upon the introduction of rhodium does not alter their bifunctional nature in SCR activity: these catalysts have both redox and strong acid Brønsted-sites.     

Active sites in Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO/H2

Among various Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalysts with the Cu/Zn ratio of 3/7, the one with 15 wt.% of ZrO₂ obtains the best activity for methanol synthesis by hydrogenation of CO. The TPR, TPO and XPS analyses reveal that a new copper oxide phase is formed in the calcined Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalysts by the dissolution of zirconium ions in copper oxide. In addition, the Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalyst with 15 wt.% of ZrO₂ turns out to contain the largest amount of the new copper oxide phase. When the Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalysts is reduced, the Cu²⁺ species present in the ZrO₂ lattice is transformed to Cu⁺ species. This leads to the speculation that the addition of ZrO₂ to Cu/ZnO catalysts gives rise to the formation of Cu⁺ species, which is related to the methanol synthesis activity of Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalyst in addition to Cu metal particles. Consequently, the ratio of Cu⁺/Cu⁰ is an important factor for the specific activity of Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalyst for methanol synthesis.     

ZrO2添加对MoO3/Al2O3催化剂耐硫甲烷化性能的影响

采用共沉淀法制备了ZrO₂-Al₂O₃复合载体,并进一步制备了MoO₃/ZrO₂-Al₂O₃催化剂,考察了不同ZrO₂质量分数对催化剂结构及其耐硫甲烷化性能的影响。利用N₂物理吸附、X射线衍射、H₂程序升温还原和透射电子显微镜等手段对催化剂的结构进行了表征。结果表明,MoO₃/ZrO₂-Al₂O₃中ZrO₂的添加可以明显削弱MoO₃与载体间的相互作用,促进Mo物种的还原,适量ZrO₂的存在还有助于提高催化剂的比表面积,改善Mo活性相的分散性,使催化剂表现出优异的耐硫甲烷化活性。     

Effects of ZrO2/Al2O3 properties on the catalytic activity of Pd catalysts for methane combustion and CO oxidation

Zirconia supported on alumina was prepared and characterized by BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and pulse reaction. 0.2% Pd/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of supports with aqueous solution of Pd(NO₃)₂. The effects of support properties on catalytic activity for methane combustion and CO oxidation were investigated. The results show that ZrO₂ is highly dispersed on the surface of Al₂O₃ up to 10 wt.% ZrO₂, beyond this value tetragonal ZrO₂ is formed. The presence of a small amount of ZrO₂ can increase the surface area, pore volume and acidity of support. CO–TPD results show that the increase of CO adsorption capacity and the activation of CO bond after the presence of ZrO₂ lead to the increase of catalytic activity of Pd catalyst for CO oxidation. CO pulse reaction results indicate that the lattice oxygen of support can be activated at lower temperature following the presence of ZrO₂, but it does not accelerate the activity of 0.2% Pd/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ for methane combustion. 0.2% Pd/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ dried at 120 °C shows highest activity for CH₄ combustion, and the activity can be further enhanced following the repeat run. The increase of treatment temperature and pre-reduction can decrease the activity of catalyst for CH₄ combustion.     

修饰的CuO/Fe2O3水煤气变换催化剂的性能测试与表征

ZrO₂是一种高熔点金属氧化物,同时具有弱酸性和弱碱性以及氧化性与还原性,具有p型半导体性质,易产生氧空穴,是理想的催化材料。通过添加不同质量分数的ZrO₂(0~5%) 作为助剂,采用分步沉淀法制备系列CuO/Fe₂O₃-ZrO₂催化剂,通过XRD、N₂物理吸附-脱附、H₂-TPR和CO₂-TPD等表征技术,考察ZrO₂助剂对CuO/Fe₂O₃水煤气变换催化剂催化性能的影响。结果表明,适量ZrO₂（质量分数1%）的添加,削弱了CuFe₂O₄中铜铁物种之间的协同作用,增加了催化剂中可被还原的铜物种的数量,形成较多的弱碱性位点,有利于增加活性中心铜的数量,具有较好的水煤气变换反应活性和热稳定性。     

Preparation of Ru metal nanoparticles in mesoporous materials: influence of sulfur on the hydrogenating activity

Hydrogenating catalysts were prepared by inserting Ru into the pores of mesoporous Al-MCM-41 materials by selective adsorption of [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺. Ru/support catalysts were obtained after reduction with H₂. The activities of these catalysts in hydrogenation reactions were compared to those of Ru/HY and Ru/SiO₂. The catalytic properties in the absence of sulfur were tested in benzene hydrogenation, and the intrinsic activities of all the catalysts (either supported on mesoporous materials or on zeolites) were identical. It was concluded from this result that the dispersion of the Ru metallic phase was similar for all these catalysts. These samples were tested in the tetralin hydrogenation in pure H₂ and in the presence of H₂S (330 ppm of H₂S in H₂). They were found to be much less active than the zeolite-supported catalysts in the presence of H₂S. It is proposed that the lower activity of the catalysts supported on mesoporous materials is either due to their milder acidity, as evidenced by NH₃-TPD, cumene cracking and pyridine desorption experiments, or to the localization of the Ru nanoparticles on alumina islands.     

Gold nanoparticles supported on ceria-modified mesoporous titania as highly active catalysts for low-temperature water-gas shift reaction

New gold catalytic system prepared on ceria-modified mesoporous titania (CeMTi) used as water-gas shift (WGS) reaction catalyst is reported. Mesoporous titania (MTi) was synthesized using surfactant templating method through a neutral [C₁₃(EO)₆–Ti(OC₃H₇)₄] assembly pathway. Ceria modifying additive was deposited on MTi by deposition precipitation (DP) method. Gold-based catalysts with different gold content (1–5 wt.%) were synthesized by DP of gold hydroxide on mixed metal oxide support. The supports and the catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), N₂ adsorption analysis and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). The catalytic behavior of the gold-based catalysts was evaluated in WGS reaction in a wide temperature range (140–300 °C) and at different space velocities and H₂O/CO ratios. The influence of gold content and particle size on the catalytic performance was investigated. The WGS activity of the new gold/ceria-modified mesoporous titania catalysts was compared with that of gold catalysts supported on simple oxides CeO₂ and mesoporous TiO₂, as well as gold/ceria-modified titania and reference catalyst Au/TiO₂ type A (World Gold Council). A high degree of synergistic interaction between ceria and mesoporous titania and a positive modification of structural and catalytic properties by ceria has been achieved. It is clearly revealed that the ceria-modified mesoporous titania is of much interest as potential support for gold-based catalyst. The Au/ceria-modified mesoporous titania catalytic system is found to be efficient catalyst for WGSR.     

Ni/Al_2O_3催化剂的CO_2-TPD表征

Ni/Al_2O_3催化剂是甲烷二氧化碳重整反应制取合成气研究最多、最具应用潜力的一种催化剂。通过对催化剂进行CO_2-TPD研究,考察还原态Ni/Al_2O_3催化剂的CO_2脱附特性。结果表明,浸渍法制备的Ni/Al_2O_3催化剂CO_2脱附曲线呈现双峰,分别在(60~65)℃和(350~380)℃出现高低温两个活性位;高温CO_2吸附量为3.0 cm~3·g~(-1),低温CO_2吸附量为24.0 cm~3·g~(-1)。催化剂的CO_2吸附量与其Ni含量无关。考察选用不同载体的CO_2脱附行为,发现以Al_2O_3为载体的催化剂CO_2吸附量是MgO和SiO_2为载体催化剂的2~4倍,以TiO_2为载体的催化剂几乎不吸附CO_2。     

Rb_2O掺杂对MnCe/ZrO_2催化燃烧碳烟的性能影响

采用柠檬酸溶胶-凝胶法制备掺杂不同Rb2O含量的MnCe/ZrO2复合氧化物催化剂,采用热重法考察其催化燃烧碳烟的活性,并借助XRD和H2-TPR手段探讨掺杂不同Rb2O含量对MnCe/ZrO2催化燃烧特性的影响。结果表明,适量Rb2O可以使催化剂与碳烟在高温下接触更为紧密,吸附空气中CO2,形成碳酸盐物质,提高催化剂的氧含量,并作为活性氧传输中心,提升MnCe/ZrO2催化燃烧性能。与未掺杂MnCe/ZrO2催化剂相比,完全燃烧温度下降31℃,碳烟在394℃内完全氧化。     

Ethylene dimerization over NiSO4 supported on Fe2O3-promoted ZrO2 catalyst

The NiSO₄ supported on Fe₂O₃-promoted ZrO₂ catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method. Fe₂O₃-promoted ZrO₂ was prepared by the coprecipitation method using a mixed aqueous solution of zirconium oxychloride and iron nitrate solution followed by adding an aqueous ammonia solution. No diffraction line of nickel sulfate was observed up to 20 wt.%, indicating good dispersion of nickel sulfate on the surface of Fe₂O₃–ZrO₂. The addition of nickel sulfate (or Fe₂O₃) to ZrO₂ shifted the phase transition of ZrO₂ (from amorphous to tetragonal) to higher temperatures because of the interaction between nickel sulfate (or Fe₂O₃) and ZrO₂. 15-NiSO₄/5-Fe₂O₃–ZrO₂ containing 15 wt.% NiSO₄ and 5 mol% Fe₂O₃, and calcined at 500 °C exhibited a maximum catalytic activity for ethylene dimerization. NiSO₄/Fe₂O₃–ZrO₂ catalysts was very effective for ethylene dimerization even at room temperature, but Fe₂O₃–ZrO₂ without NiSO₄ did not exhibit any catalytic activity at all. The catalytic activities were correlated with the acidity of catalysts measured by the ammonia chemisorption method. The addition of Fe₂O₃ up to 5 mol% enhanced the acidity, surface area, thermal property, and catalytic activities of catalysts gradually, due to the interaction between Fe₂O₃ and ZrO₂ and due to consequent formation of Fe–O–Zr bond.     

铈锆复合氧化物催化HCl氧化中相互作用机制

采用浸渍法制备了不同负载量的ZrO₂/CeO₂·（xZr/Ce）和CeO₂/ZrO₂·（yCe/Zr）两组催化剂。并采用XRD、Raman、N₂-Sorption、TEM和H₂-TPR等手段对xZr/Ce和yCe/Zr的结构和性质进行表征,并结合HCl催化氧化活性研究CeO₂与ZrO₂在反应体系中的相互作用。结果显示,CeO₂表面掺杂适量的Zr⁴⁺可以增加xZr/Ce表面氧空位浓度,提高其HCl氧化反应活性;但当CeO₂表面掺杂过量的Zr⁴⁺,Zr元素会以ZrO₂的形式存在于xZr/Ce表面,覆盖氧空位,降低了xZr/Ce的反应活性。对于yCe/Zr催化剂,ZrO₂表面高分散的CeO₂有利于催化活性的提高,但ZrO₂表层负载的CeO₂对催化活性的贡献具有阈值,当CeO₂负载量超过10%后,额外增加的铈物种对催化活性已无显著促进作用;对比发现xZr/Ce的氧空位主要来自于铈锆固溶体,yCe/Zr的氧空位主要来自于高分散的CeO₂,由铈锆固溶体产生的氧空位对活性提升更有利;与纯组分CeO₂相比,xZr/Ce与yCe/Zr两组催化剂在苛刻条件下的长期稳定性测试中均表现出高反应稳定性。     

ZrO2-Al2O3复合氧化物催化反应精馏合成碳酸二甲酯

采用共沉淀法制备了一系列不同Al₂O₃含量的ZrO₂-Al₂O₃复合氧化物,并在催化精馏实验装置中考察了该催化剂在碳酸丙烯酯（PC）与甲醇酯交换制备碳酸二甲酯（DMC）过程中的催化性能。通过X射线衍射（XRD）、红外光谱（FTIR）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）、CO₂程序升温脱附（CO₂-TPD）和NH₃程序升温脱附（NH₃-TPD）等手段对所制备的催化剂进行了表征。结果表明,催化剂表面存在的酸碱性位点是制约PC与甲醇酯交换性能的重要因素。复合氧化物中Al₂O₃含量可以有效调控催化剂的结构特征和表面的酸碱性质,不同于ZrO₂或Al₂O₃单金属催化剂,复合氧化物ZrO₂-Al₂O₃在合成过程中形成了稳定的固溶体结构,导致催化剂表面弱酸量增加,并产生了强碱位点。数据分析表明,催化剂表面的强碱和弱酸含量高时,其催化活性高,说明该反应具有酸碱协同催化作用。当Zr/Al比为1时,弱酸和强碱量均达到最大值,PC的转化率和DMC选择性可达到98.14%和99.96%。催化剂在经过12次循环使用后依旧保持较高的活性,具有良好的结构稳定性。     

单斜相与四方相混合晶相组成ZrO2负载镍催化剂催化顺酐选择性加氢

通过调控水热法制备条件制备同为单斜相和四方相混合晶相组成、但织构性质和表面结构性质不同的两种ZrO_2载体,采用浸渍法制备镍质量分数为10%的Ni/ZrO_2催化剂,考察不同反应温度[(150～240)℃]和氢气压力[(3～7)MPa]条件下两种ZrO_2载体负载镍催化剂的顺酐加氢性能。采用XRD、H_2-TPR、H_2-TPD和拉曼光谱等对催化剂进行表征。结果表明,与镍物种发生较强相互作用的ZrO_2负载镍催化剂具有较高的■键加氢活性与选择性,几乎没有■加氢活性,在所考察的反应温度和反应压力范围,催化剂上丁二酸酐选择性均高于95.1%,γ-丁内酯选择性均低于4.9%。与之不同,与镍物种发生较弱相互作用的ZrO_2负载镍催化剂具有较弱的■键加氢活性,然而,该催化剂表现出一定的■加氢活性,并且其■加氢活性随反应温度或反应压力的提高而显著提高。在反应温度240℃、氢气压力5 MPa条件下,γ-丁内酯选择性高达60.6%。推测晶相组成相似的两种ZrO_2载体负载镍催化剂明显的■加氢性能差异与其表面结构性质不同有关。