Density of surface acid sites as parameter for evaluating the catalytic activity of sulfonated carbons in the fructose dehydration
In this work sulfonated carbons were prepared and tested as catalysts in fructose to 5-HMF dehydration. The sulfonated carbons were prepared by the method of carbonization and sulfonation in situ in the presence of H2SO4, using glycerol and glucose as precursors. The characterization techniques used to elucidate the physical-chemical characteristics of the synthesized materials, confirmed the presence of favorable textural properties and acidic surface groups, mainly (but not exclusively) sulfonic and carboxylic groups, which are fundamental in the fructose dehydration reaction. The catalytic activity of the sulfonated carbons was evaluated, under microwave heating, obtaining 82.7% conversion at at 120ºC, using a 5wt % fructose solution in DMSO and 5wt % catalyst. Selectivity to 5-HMF reached values as high as 98%. The results allowed to evaluate the relative contribution of textural properties versus surface acidity of solids, elucidating some behaviors typically observed in this catalytic system.