Dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide over H-beta zeolites with high Si/Al ratios

Conversion of sorbitol to isosorbide by heterogeneous catalysts is a challenge in biorefinery. Herein, H-beta zeolites with specific Si/Al ratios uniquely give isosorbide in up to 76% yield under mild conditions. Mechanistic study has suggested that acid sites on hydrophobic internal surface are active for this reaction.