Heterogeneous catalysts for the transesterification of aromatic alcohols; and methods of making and use thereof
View Patent ↗Disclosed herein are new mixed metal oxide catalysts suitable as heterogeneous catalysts for catalyzing the transesterification process of aromatic alcohols with a dialkyl carbonate to form aromatic carbonates. The heterogeneous catalyst comprises a combination of two, three, four, or more oxides of Mo, V, Nb, Ce, Cu, Sn, or an element selected from Group IA or Group IIA of the periodic table.
1. A method for preparing a diaryl carbonate, comprising: transesterifying a dialkyl carbonate with an aromatic hydroxy compound in the presence of the heterogeneous catalyst wherein the heterogeneous catalyst comprises a mixed metal oxide according to Formula (A)
Mo a V b Nb c Q d O x (A)
wherein
Q is Cu, Sn, Mg or Cs
a is 0.1 to 5,
b is 0.5 to 6,
c is 0 to about 20,
d is 0.1 to 10, and
x is stoichiometrically required amount of oxygen to balance the metals,
wherein at least three of a, b, c, and d independently is greater than 0, and with the proviso that Formula (A) excludes CuV 2 O 6 , Cu 2 V 2 O 7 , MoO 3 —V 2 O 5 , and Nb 2 O 5 —V 2 O 3 .
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dialkyl carbonate is dimethyl carbonate; and wherein the aromatic hydroxy compound is phenol.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dialkyl carbonate is diethyl carbonate; and wherein the aromatic hydroxy compound is phenol.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein Q is Cu.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein Q is Cs.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein Q is Mg.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein Q is Sn.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heterogeneous catalyst comprises a Mo—V—Cu oxide, a Mo—V—Nb—Cu oxide, a Mo—V—Nb—Cs oxide, a Mo—V—Nb—Mg oxide, a Mo—V—Nb—Sn oxide, or a combination thereof.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heterogeneous catalyst further comprises a binder and is prepared in the form of an extrudate.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the binder is present in the extrudate in an amount of about 10 to about 90 wt. % (dry basis) of the total weight of the extrudate.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the binder is silica, silica-based clay, magnesium aluminum silicate clay, alumina, or a combination thereof.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heterogeneous catalyst further comprises a lubricant and is prepared in the form of a tablet.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the lubricant is present in the tablet in an amount of about 1 to about 5 wt. % of the total weight of the tablet.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the heterogeneous catalyst further comprises a binder and wherein the binder is silica, silica-based clay, magnesium aluminum silicate clay, alumina, or a combination thereof.