title: Zeolites as sustainable catalysts for the selective synthesis of renewable bisphenols from lignin-derived monomers.
abstract: Alternative biobased bisphenols from lignocellulosic biomass are not only favorable to reduce the environmental impact of current petroleum-derived plastics, but they can be simultaneously beneficial for health issues related to bisphenol A (BPA). Additionally, conventional BPA synthesis entails a large excess of unrecoverable homogeneous acid catalyst (e.g., HCl) or unrecyclable thermolabile sulfonated resins. In this report, zeolites are proposed as recoverable and thermally stable solid acids for the Brønsted-acid-catalyzed condensation between 4-methylguaiacol and formaldehyde to selectively produce renewable bisphenols. It is found that the Brønsted-acid-site density plays a pivotal role for catalyst performance. In particular, the cheap and environmentally friendly FAU 40 exhibits outstanding activity (turnover frequency of 496 h-1) and selectivity (>95 %), outperforming even the best benchmark catalyst. Additionally, the zeolite can be easily recycled without activity loss after regeneration by coke burn-off. The catalytic zeolite system also seems very promising for other lignin-derived alkylphenols, alkylguaiacols, and alkylsyringols.
authors.affiliation: Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysts, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200f, box 2461, Leuwen, 3001, Belgium.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8576-1228
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrini
authors.affiliation: Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysts, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200f, box 2461, Leuwen, 3001, Belgium.
authors.forename: Steven-Friso
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Koelewijn
authors.affiliation: Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysts, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200f, box 2461, Leuwen, 3001, Belgium.
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Aelst
authors.affiliation: Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysts, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200f, box 2461, Leuwen, 3001, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nuttens
authors.affiliation: Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysts, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200f, box 2461, Leuwen, 3001, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bert F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Sels
mesh_terms: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002384:Catalysis; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D010636:Phenols / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D017641:Zeolites / Q000737:chemistry*; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D008031:Lignin; D010636:Phenols; D017641:Zeolites; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
keywords: Brønsted-acid catalysis; bisphenol; heterogeneous catalysis; lignin monomers; zeolites