Synthesis of Tricyclopentadiene Using Ionic Liquid Supported Mesoporous Silica Catalysts

Abstract

Tricyclopentadiene (TCPD) is one of the important precursors for making tetrahydrotricyclopentadiene, which is well known as a next-generation fuel with high energy density. In this study, TCPD was obtained by polymerization reaction of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) using an ionic liquid (IL) supported mesoporous silica catalysts. ILs were supported to two kinds of mesoporous silica catalysts with different pore sizes such as MCM-41 and SBA-15. Four different ILs were supported to mesoporous silicas using anionic precursors such as CuCl or FeCl3 and cationic precursors such as triethylamine hydrochloride or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. We proved that IL supported mesoporous silicas showed better catalytic performance than those of using non-supported prestine IL in the aspect of TCPD yield and DCPD conversion. Among four kinds of IL supported mesoporous silica catalysts, CuCl-based IL supported MCM-41 system showed the highest TCPD yield.