Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Applications of the Ti-SBA-16 Porous Material in the Selective and Green Isomerizations of Limonene and S-Carvone

Abstract

This work presents studies on the activity of the Ti-SBA-16 (SBA—Santa Barbara Amorphous) catalyst in the isomerization of limonene and S-carvone. The Ti-SBA-16 catalyst was synthesized by a two-step method: first, the SBA-16 material was produced, and then it was impregnated with the titanium source. The Ti-SBA-16 catalyst was subjected to detailed characterizations by means of instrumental methods: XRD (X-ray Diffraction), UV-Vis (Ultraviolet–Visible) spectroscopy, FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared) spectroscopy, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) with EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray) spectroscopy, and EDXRF (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence). Both limonene and S-carvone underwent isomerization over the Ti-SBA-16 catalyst. In the isomerization of limonene, the main product was terpinolene, and its highest yield amounted to 39 mol% after 300 min at 170 °C with a catalyst content of 15 wt%. Under these conditions, the conversion of limonene reached 78 mol%. In contrast, the highest yield of carvacrol (65 mol%) was obtained with the catalyst content of 15 wt%, at 200 °C, and with the conversion of S-carvone reaching 79 mol%.