Imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL) catalysts with different anions (Cl^-, HSO₄^-, and CF₃SO₃^-) were covalently anchored to the surface of fibrous silica (FS) by using alkyl chains as a linker. The prepared catalysts were applied for the C-C coupling reactions of 2-methylfuran (2-MF) with levulinic acid (LA), angelica lactone (AL), and ethyl levulinate (EL) to synthesize high carbon fuel precursors. The hydrophilic nature of FS supported IL catalyst having bisulfate anion was suitable for the self C-C coupling reaction of 2-MF and the reaction of 2-MF with LA. FS supported IL catalyst having triflate anion (FS-ILCF₃SO₃) exhibited high conversion and selectivity for the target fuel precursors from the C-C coupling reaction of 2-MF with AL and EL. The increased solubility, tunable acidity, and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of FS-ILHSO₄ and FS-ILCF₃SO₃ promise a sustainable catalyst system. Supported ILs make the transformation processes greener and more efficient for large-scale production of biomass-derived fuel precursors.

paper information

Applied Catalysis A: General Volume 628, 25 November 2021, 118421

Received 8 July 2021, Revised 5 September 2021, Accepted 6 September 2021, Available online 29 October 2021, Version of Record 3 November 2021.

Authors: Mahlet N.Gebresillase, Jeong GilSeo

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2021.118421