Carlo Perego

Studies on supported triflic acid in alkylation

Abstract A thermally stable solid acid catalyst has been prepared by treating amorphous silica gel with trifluoromethanesulphonic (triflic) acid (TFA) at 150°C in a closed glass vessel. A solvent such as 1,1,2-trichloro-2,2,1-trifluoro-ethane (Freon 113) can be conveniently used to dissolve TFA. The obtained material is an active catalyst in the alkylation of isobutane with n-butenes to yield high-octane gasoline components. In the reaction it behaves like a truly solid catalyst not leaching TFA in the solution for about 24xa0h. The catalyst characterisation has been performed by 1H- and 19F-NMR and IR spectroscopy.

Nu-88: a new and efficient catalyst in industrially relevant hydroxyalkylation reaction

Zeolite NU-88 was synthesised using a new structure directing agent (N,N′-pentamethylen-bis-[N-methyl-3-hydroxo-piperidinio]-di-hydroxide). This zeolite was tested as catalyst in hydroxyalkylation reactions such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and methylenedianiline (MDA) production. NU-88 proved to be efficient, selective, water resistant and a true alternative of polluting mineral acids currently used for BPA and MDA industrial production.