Synthesis of methylal from methanol and formaldehyde catalyzed by Brønsted acid ionic liquids with different alkyl groups

Jiahan Sun, Hansheng Li, Haoran Song, Qin Wu*, Yun Zhao, Qingze Jiao

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The catalytic reaction of methanol with formaldehyde for the preparation of methylal was investigated in various Brønsted acid ionic liquids with different carbon chain length of alkyl groups. The structures, acidities, and properties of ionic liquids were experimentally characterized and theoretically analyzed. The Brønsted acidity-viscosity-activity correlation for the ionic liquids was studied. Among all these ionic liquids, [C6ImBS][HSO4] exhibited the best catalytic performance, which was ascribed to its strong Brønsted acidity and low viscosity. The catalytic activity of the ionic liquid was near that of concentrated sulfuric acid. The influences of ionic liquid dosage, reaction temperature and molar ratio of methanol to formaldehyde were explored using [C6ImBS]HSO4 as the catalyst. Under the optimal conditions of n(methanol):n(formaldehyde):n(ILs) = 2.5:1:0.0258, 60 °C, and 4 h, the conversion of formaldehyde can reach 63.37%. The ionic liquid [C6ImBS]HSO4 could be reused.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)87200-87205
Number of pages6
JournalRSC Advances
Volume5
Issue number106
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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