Abstract:The conversion of ethanol to 1,3-butadiene (1,3-BD) has been investigated over ZrO2 and ZnO containing magnesia silica oxides prepared by co-precipitation method at different Mg-to-Si molar ratios. The effect of reaction temperature and ethanol flow rate was investigated. The catalyst acidity was modified through the addition of alkali metals (Na, K and Li) to the final materials. Catalysts were characterised by nitrogen physisorption analysis, Xray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray, temperature programmed desorption of ammonia, infrared spectroscopy and 29 Si/( 7 Li) NMR spectroscopy. The catalytic results showed that the controlled reduction of catalyst acidity allows suppressing of ethanol dehydration, whilst increasing 1,3-BD selectivity. The best catalytic performance achieved 72 mol % for the combined 1,3-BD and acetaldehyde selectivity.

A highly rigid amine-based polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM), prepared by a polymerization reaction involving the formation of Tröger's base, is demonstrated to act as an ionic diode with electrolyte-dependent bistable switchable states.

We report the selective oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid under mild conditions and show that if a basic support is used then the reaction can be carried out without the addition of sacrificial base or pH control. The use of sol-immobilisation prepared catalysts supported on magnesium oxide facilitates the use of ambient air as an oxidant source. These mild conditions resulted in an excellent selectivity towards gluconic acid. Different heat treatments result in an improvement in the activity of the catalyst, these improvements are discussed in terms of XRD, DRIFTD and TEM analysis of the catalysts, despite significant particle growth and phase segregation occurring during the thermal treatments.

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A highly rigid amine‐based polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM), prepared by a polymerization reaction involving the formation of Tröger’s base, is demonstrated to act as an ionic diode with electrolyte‐dependent bistable switchable states.