Transformation of levoglucosan over H-MCM-22 zeolite and H-MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieve catalysts

Catalytic transformation of levoglucosan (1-6-anhdyro-β-D-glucopyranose) was carried out in a fixed bed reactor at 573 K over zeolite and mesoporous material catalysts. Proton forms of MCM-22-30 and MCM-41-20 catalysts were tested in the conversion, changing also the residence time. The yield of the transformation product phases was substantially influenced by the structures, at the same time the formation of the different compounds were dependent on the structures of the acidic zeolite catalysts. Oxygenated species were the main liquid product, consisting mainly of aldehydes and furfurals (glycolaldehyde, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, furfural, 5-methylfurfural, acetic acid). The formation of the liquid products was higher over MCM-41-20 than over MCM-22-30 for all the oxygenated species except acetic acid, indicating larger formation of non-condensable products over the microporous material. By increasing the residence time the formation of acetic acid increased in transformations over MCM-22, however, such increase also led to generation of more gases with both catalysts. The deactivation due to coking was more severe over the zeolite compared to the mesoporous material. It was, however, possible to successfully regenerate the spent zeolites without changing the structure. -- Highlights: → Transformation of levoglucosan (1-6-anhdyro-β-D-glucopyranose) was done at 573 K. → MCM-22-30 and MCM-41-20 catalysts were tested. → Oxygenated species (glycolaldehyde, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, furfural, 5-methylfurfural, acetic acid) were the main liquid products. → Acidity had an influence on product distribution and deactivation.