Zirconium-tin phosphate as an efficient catalyst for renewable p-xylene synthesis from biobased 2,5-dimethylfuran and ethylene

Efficient production of renewable p -xylene (PX) from bio-based 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) and ethylene is challenging. Herein, novel nanoflake-like zirconium-tin phosphate catalysts were synthesized, and their catalytic performance was evaluated in the conversion of DMF and ethylene to PX. The DMF conversion, PX selectivity and PX yield reached up to 99%, 95.2% and 94.2%, respectively over Zr 0.6 Sn 0.4 P under relatively mild conditions. The PX productivity was 61.1 mmol PX ·g cat −1 ·h −1 , which is better than that of previously reported catalysts. By combining characterization with activity test, it was found that enhanced DMF and ethylene adsorption is beneficial to promoting the reaction between DMF and ethylene. Precise regulation of acid sites is crucial for inhibiting the occurrence of side reactions and improving the selectivity of PX. The kinetic analysis revealed that Zr 0.6 Sn 0.4 P had a relatively low apparent activation energy (39 kJ·mol −1 ) for this reaction than previously reported catalysts. In addition, the Zr 0.6 Sn 0.4 P catalyst exhibited an excellent reusability.