Preparation and catalytic performance of magnetic mesoporous silica supported basic ionic liquids

Magnetic mesoporous silica was modified with 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane, and then ionic liquid with different alkyl chains was immobilized on magnetic mesoporous silica via free radical addition reaction between sulfydryl group and double bond. The catalysts were characterized with FTIR, XRD, elemental analysis and vibrating sample magnetometer. Finally, the catalytic activity of the catalyst was evaluated through catalytic transesterification reaction of glycerol trioleate with methanol. Ionic liquid loading, specific surface area and pore volume of the catalyst decreased with the increase of alkyl chain of ionic liquid. When the alkyl chain of ionic liquid was octyl group, dodecyl group or hexadecyl group, the yield of methyl oleate was higher than 95%, and after three cycles, the yield of methyl oleate was still higher than 90%.