Functionalized CeO2/SBA-15 Materials as Efficient Catalysts for Aqueous Room Temperature Mono-dehydration of Sugar Alcohols

1,4-Sorbitan and 1,4-mannitan are important precursors for the synthesis of detergents and pharmaceuticals, derived from mono-dehydration of sugar alcohols (D-sorbitol and D-mannitol). In order to improve mono-dehydration selectivity, functionalized CeO2/SBA-15 materials were synthesized and employed as dehydration catalysts. Characterization revealed that all synthetic catalysts contain cerium dioxide nanoparticles with sizes below 10 nm. All prepared catalysts provided 1,4-sorbitan or 1,4-mannitan as the major dehydration products in water at room temperature, with catalysts being nicely active and stable after several reuses.