Catalysis by MgO and the Role of Zn2+ in Talc Catalysts for the Selective Production of 1,3-Butadiene from Ethanol

1,3-Butadiene is produced as a by-product during ethylene production from steam crackers. Increasing demand for sustainable chemicals has driven the search for substitute petrochemicals from renewable biomass-derived chemical resources. 1,3-Butadiene is an important commodity chemical and an alternative route for its production, from ethanol, was developed about a hundred years ago. In the current climate, the development of a new high-performance catalyst for the bio-based synthesis of 1,3-butadiene is an important challenge. This paper reviews our recent studies into the synthesis of 1,3-butadiene from ethanol using MgO alone, and Zn-containing talc (Zn-Talc) that has not previously been used as a catalyst for this reaction. In particular, we focus on catalysis by MgO and the role that Zn2+ in the Zn-Talc catalyst plays in the selective production of 1,3-butadiene. The reaction mechanism for the formation of 1,3-butadiene from ethanol over MgO, and the effect of Zn2+ on the rate of ethanol conversion are discussed.