Liquid phase aromatization of bio-based ketones over a stable solid acid catalyst under batch and continuous flow conditions

Herein, we describe a one-step process for renewable aromatics from biomass-derived ketones over solid acid catalysts under liquid phase batch and flow conditions. The ion exchange resin was highly active for aromatics due to high acidic strength but leaching of acidic sites caused low stability. In contrary, zeolite HY showed a lower activity but higher stability in batch by regenerability and was stable in flow for 250 min-on-stream. HY is further applicable for the conversion of higher ketones (butanone and pentanone). This work contributes towards an industrially important aromatic production from biogenic ketones and thus an economical and sustainable process.

Automated summary

In this study, a one-step process for renewable aromatics production from biomass-derived ketones over solid acid catalysts was described. Ion exchange resin exhibited high activity for aromatics but low stability due to leaching of acidic sites. On the contrary, zeolite HY showed lower activity but higher stability, making it suitable for batch and flow applications. This work contributes to the economically and sustainably production of industrially important aromatic compounds from biogenic ketones.