Biomass-derived dibasic acids to diesters with inorganic ligand-supported catalyst: synthesis, optimization, characterization

Abstract

Several attempts have been made to obtain aliphatic dicarboxylic diesters from esterification reaction to develop the biomass-derived platform molecules and green manufacturing processes. In this paper, Na3(H2O)6[AlMo6O18(OH)6], an Anderson-type polyoxometalate, firstly, was reported as a catalyst for diester synthesis from dicarboxylic acid to diester which showed an well productivity and selectivity characterized by 1H and 13C. Response surface methodology (RSM) integrated with the desirability function approach was used to determine the best operative conditions, and the optimal reaction parameters for maximum dipropyl succinate yield (77\u2009±\u20092.5%) were identified as 1.19 mol.% catalyst loading, 4.9:1 propanol/succinic acid ratio, 113 °C, and 9.6 h. Three batches of tests were carried for catalyst recycling with 78–75% yield even after 6 cycles of esterification. In addition, the substrate carbon chain was increased for investigation of substrate scope achieving satisfactory results and all products were characterized by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.