Production of jet fuel intermediates from biomass platform compounds via aldol condensation reaction over iron-modified MCM-41 lewis acid zeolite

Liquid fuel intermediates could be produced via aldol condensation reaction between furfural or 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and acetone. It was found that iron-modified MCM-41 zeolite can be an effective Lewis acid catalyst for C—C bond formation via aldol condensation of furfural or HMF with acetone. The 4-(2-furyl)-3-buten-2-one and 1, 5-di-2-furanyl-1, 4-pentadien-3-one (FAc and F 2 Ac), or 1, 5-di-2-furanyl-1, 4-pentadien-3-one and 1, 5-bis[(5- hydroxlmethyl )-2- furanyl ]-1, 4-pentadien-3-one (HAc and H 2 Ac), as two main condensation products of furfural with acetone or HMF with acetone, were observed. After 24 h at 160 °C, 86.9% conversion of furfural with 60.0% yield of the FAc as well as 7.5% yield of the F 2 Ac and 88.9% conversion of the HMF with 41.1% yield of the HAc as well as 3.5% yield of the H 2 Ac were achieved. Although furfural or HMF conversion was almost same after 24 h at 160 °C, iron-modified MCM-41 zeolite catalyst displayed an enhanced selectivity to condensation products of furfural with acetone. In addition, catalysts showed an improved selectivity to the F 2 Ac and H 2 Ac at higher reaction temperature. The reusability and regeneration studies showed that iron-modified MCM-41 zeolite catalyst could not be reused directly, but could be regenerated by calcination in air, and the catalytic performance of regenerated catalyst was acceptable.