KF/MgO used as the catalyst for transesterification of dimethyl carbonate with isosorbide to dicarboxymethyl isosorbide

Abstract

Solid alkali KF/MgO catalysts were prepared using the impregnation method by combining alkali metal compounds with oxides, which performed the transesterification of isosorbide (IS) with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) into dicarboxymethyl isosorbide (DC). Characterization of the catalysts was conducted through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and N₂ adsorption–desorption analysis. The catalytic performance of KF/MgO was examined under diverse KF loading and calcination temperature conditions. The characterization of catalyst identified that the creation of innovative active components K₂MgF₄ and K₂CO₃ were produced at a calcination temperature of 500 ℃ and a KF loading amount of 40%. The catalyst of 40-KF/MgO-500 demonstrated the most effective, favourable activity and selectivity. Through the optimization of transesterification process conditions, it was discovered that the yield of DC was at its highest under the optimal reaction conditions of n(DMC)/n(IS) = 6.5, catalyst dosage of 0.21 wt% (relative to IS mass), transesterification temperature of 120 °C, and reaction time of 6 h.