Efficient and Stable O-Methylation of Catechol with Dimethyl Carbonate over Aluminophosphate Catalysts

Abstract

The O-methylation of catechol is an effective method for the industrial production of guaiacol used as an important chemical. However, the low catechol conversion and poor catalyst stability are the most critical issues that need to be addressed. Herein, the O-methylation of catechol with dimethyl carbonate was investigated over aluminophosphate (APO) catalysts, using a continuous-flow system to produce guaiacol. APO catalysts were synthesized with varying P/Al molar ratios and calcination temperatures to study their effects on catalytic performance for the reaction. The physico-chemical properties of the APO catalysts were thoroughly investigated using XRD, NH3-TPD, CO2-TPD, FTIR, and Py-FTIR. The P/Al molar ratio and catalyst calcination temperature significantly influenced the structure and texture, as well as the surface acid-base properties of APO. Both the medium acid and medium base sites were observed over APO catalysts, and the Lewis acid sites acted as the main active sites. The APO (P/Al = 0.7) exhibited the highest catalytic activity and excellent stability, due to the suitable medium acid-base pairs.