Selectively converting fructose to furfural over H-beta zeolite: Elucidating the roles of framework aluminum

Selectively converting fructose into furfural by H-beta catalyst is a very interesting catalytic process. However, it is a challenging task to clearly elucidate the roles of framework Al for selective scission of C C and C O bond. Herein, selective elimination of framework Al atoms is realized. Several detailed investigations showed that the framework Al species located in different sites play important role in furfural formation. The framework Al atoms of pristine H-beta mainly occupied at T1, T2, T5, T6 and T7 sites. These Al species at pore mouth can be removed by citric acid, while the treatment of nitric acid mainly eliminated the framework Al atoms from T2 and T7 sites. As for oxalic acid, the Al atoms occupied at T2, T5, T6 and T7 was primarily leached. Upon citric acid and nitric acid treatment afforded the similar yield of furfural, indicating that the formation of furfural could not be governed by these Al species at pore mouth, T2 and T7 sites. However, in the case of oxalic acid treatment, complete removal of the Al species on T2, T5, T6 and T7 sites decreased the yield of furfural. Thus, it is reasonably inferred that these Al atoms populated at T1 sites and intersecting channels is more encouraging for the splitting of C C bond, while the Al species occupied at T5, T6 sites and the larger straight channels is probably more favorable to scission of C O bond.