title: Esterification of bio-oil from mallee (Eucalyptus loxophleba ssp. gratiae) leaves with a solid acid catalyst: Conversion of the cyclic ether and terpenoids into hydrocarbons.
abstract: Bio-oil from pyrolysis of mallee (Eucalyptus loxophleba ssp. gratiae) leaves differs from that obtained with wood by its content of cyclic ethers, terpenoids and N-containing organic compounds. Upgrading of the leaf bio-oil in methanol with a solid acid catalyst was investigated and it was found that the N-containing organics in the bio-oil lead to deactivation of the catalyst in the initial stage of exposure and have to be removed via employing high catalyst loading to allow the occurrence of other acid-catalysed reactions. Eucalyptol, the main cyclic ether in the bio-oil, could be converted into the aromatic hydrocarbon, p-cymene, through a series of intermediates including α-terpineol, terpinolene, and α-terpinene. Various steps such as ring-opening, dehydration, isomerisation, and aromatization were involved in the conversion of eucalyptol. The terpenoids in bio-oil could also be converted into aromatic hydrocarbons that can serve as starting materials for the synthesis of fine chemicals, via the similar processes.
authors.affiliation: Fuels and Energy Technology Institute, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gunawan
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mourant
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lievens
authors.forename: Weerawut
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chaiwat
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chun-Zhu
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D000143:Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000032:analysis; D004951:Esterification; D004988:Ethers, Cyclic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077591:Eucalyptol; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D013343:Styrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D004988:Ethers, Cyclic; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010938:Plant Oils; D013343:Styrenes; D013729:Terpenes; D009584:Nitrogen; D019342:Acetic Acid; D000077591:Eucalyptol; D000432:Methanol