Highly active Pd containing EMT zeolite catalyst for indirect oxidative carbonylation of methanol to dimethyl carbonate

Palladium containing EMT zeolite catalyst (Pd/EMT) was prepared and used for the indirect oxidative carbonylation of methanol to dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The EMT zeolite was employed as a new catalyst support and compared with the conventional Pd containing FAU zeolite catalyst (Pd/FAU). The Pd/EMT in contrast to the Pd/FAU catalyst exhibited high intrinsic activity with the turnover frequency of 0.25 s(-1) vs. 0.11 s(-1). The Pd/EMT catalyst showed high CO conversion of 82% and DMC selectivity of 79%, that maintained for at least 130 h, while the activity of the Pd/FAU catalyst rapidly deteriorated within 12 h. The enhanced interactions between Pd and EMT zeolite inhibited the sintering of palladium clusters and maintained the Pd2+ active sites in the Pd/EMT catalyst. The stabilization of the mono-dispersed Pd clusters within the EMT zeolite is paramount to the excellent performance of the catalyst for the indirect oxidative carbonylation of methanol to DMC. (c) 2020 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Enhanced interactions between palladium and EMT zeolite inhibit sintering of palladium clusters and maintain Pd2+ active sites, which is crucial for the excellent performance of the catalyst in the indirect oxidative carbonylation of methanol to DMC.