The Nature of Surface Deposits Following Valeric Acid Interactions with Al2O3-Supported Alkaline Earth Oxide Catalysts: Towards Cellulosic Biofuels

Abstract

Two Al 2 O 3 -supported alkaline earth metal oxide catalysts (MgO and BaO) were contacted with valeric acid at 250 °C. Each formed amounts of 5-nonanone (BaO more than MgO). A significant deposition of hydrocarbonaceous material onto the catalyst surface is noted. This adsorbed material is characterised using TGA and FTIR and relates to a carboxylate species.

A study of the experimental and theoretical infrared, Raman, 1H and 13C NMR spectra of the biochemicals valeric and valproic acids

“…The interesting biological and structural properties of valeric acid [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and valproic acid [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] have prompted the thorough investigation of their conformational profiles for the purpose of comparison. In an earlier study a portable Raman instrument was used to detect the solid form of valeric acid (1800-200 cm À1 ) as part of a study of a series of fundamental organic acids [4].…”

“…Valeric acid esters are important additives and ingrediants in food, perfume and cosmetic industries. Valeric acid is reported to be used as a biofuel intermediate [6,8,10,11]. The addition of valeric acid to Al 2 O 3 -supported alkaline earth metal oxide catalysts is reported to significantly increase the deposition of hydrocarbonaceous material on the catalyst surface.…”

The use of alkaline earth oxides as pH modifiers for selective glycerol oxidation over supported Au catalysts

“…Solid bases such as group II oxides and carbonates have received recent attention as basic catalysts and supports [28,29] but, to our knowledge; have never been used as pH modifying agents in these selective oxidation reactions. In this work we have compared the activity and selectivity of a standard Au/TiO 2 catalyst in the selective oxidation reaction when NaOH(aq), CaO(s) and BaO(s) are used as basic agents within the reaction under ambient pressure.…”

Conversion of levulinic acid derived valeric acid into a liquid transportation fuel of the kerosene type

“…Catalysts (e.g. alkali and alkaline earth metal oxides supported on amorphous silica alumina) and reaction conditions (450 ºC) [14] resemble those of the ketonic decarboxylation for which a catalytic action of these oxides has been established in other cases [15,16]. Furthermore, increased decarboxylation and dehydration has been observed for the pyrolysis in presence of these catalysts together with the reduction of the carboxylic acid amount.…”