The mission of addition and fission – catalytic functionalization of oleochemicals

Extension of Biodiesel Aging Mechanism-the Role and Influence of Methyl Oleate and the Contribution of Alcohols Through the Use of Solketal

The energy crisis and dependence on fossil fuels forces societies to develop alternative pathways to secure energy supplies. Therefore, non-fossil fuels such as biofuels and e-fuels can help counteract the resulting demand for existing combustion engines. However, biofuels, like biodiesel, have disadvantages in terms of oxidation stability. In general, aging of biodiesel is a complex mechanism due to interaction of various components. In order to develop an ideal fuel, the mechanism must be understood in full detail. In this work, an attempt is made to simplify the system by using methyl oleate as a biodiesel model component. In addition, other fuel components of interest such as alcohols and their respective acids help to clarify the aging mechanism. This work used isopropylidene glycerol (solketal) as the main alcohol, 1-octanol and octanoic acid. A holistic biodiesel aging scheme was developed by using generated data and evaluating the role of acids. They epoxidize unsaturated fatty acid via Prileschajev reactions. In addition, the role of epoxides in oligomerization reactions is confirmed. Moreover, the alcohols show that the suppression of oligomerization can be achieved by the reaction with methyl oleate. The alcohol-dependent aging products were determined by quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometry.

Improvement of bio-based polyurethane and its optimal application in controlled release fertilizer

In the past decades, polyurethane has emerged as a new material that has been widely developed and applied in coated controlled release fertilizers (CRFs). Particularly in recent years, the excessive consumption of petroleum resources and increasing demand for sustainable development have resulted in considerable interest in bio-based polyurethane coated controlled-release fertilizers. This review article focuses on the application and progress of environmentally friendly bio-based materials in the polyurethane-coated CRF industry. We also explore prospects for the green and sustainable development of coated CRFs. Using animal and plant oils, starch, lignin, and cellulose as raw materials, polyols can be produced by physical, chemical, and biological means to replace petroleum-based materials and polyurethane film coating for CRFs can be prepared. Various modifications can also improve the hydrophobicity and degradability of polyurethane film. A growing body of research on bio-based polyurethane has revealed its great potential in the production and application of coated CRFs. The purpose of this review is to highlight the practicality of bio-based materials in the application of polyurethane-coated CRFs and to clarify their current limitations.

Spongy titanosilicate promotes the catalytic performance and reusability of WO3 in oxidative cleavage of methyl oleate

A tungsten containing catalyst catalyzed oxidative cleavage of methyl oleate (MO) by employing H₂O₂ as an oxidant and is known as an efficient approach for preparing high value-added chemicals, however, the tungsten leaching problem remains unresolved. In this work, a binary catalyst consisting of tungsten oxide (WO₃) and spongy titanosilicate (STS) zeolite is proposed for MO oxidative cleavage. The function of STS in this catalyst is investigated. On the one hand, STS converts MO to 9,10-epoxystearate (MES), which further forms nonyl aldehyde (NA) and methyl azelaaldehydate (MAA) with the catalysis of WO₃. In this way, MO oxidation and hydrolysis that generates unwanted diol product 9,10-dihydroxystearate (MDS) decreases obviously. On the other hand, STS decomposes peroxide and promotes the conversion of soluble peroxotungstate to insoluble polytungstate. Meanwhile, these tungsten species are allowed to precipitate on its surface instead of remaining in the liquid phase owing to its relative large specific area. Therefore, tungsten leaching can be reduced from 37.0% to 1.2%. Due to the cooperation of WO₃ and STS, 94.4% MO conversion and oxidative cleavage product selectivity of 63.1% are achieved, and the WO₃–STS binary catalyst maintains excellent catalytic performance for 8 recycling reactions.

Proposed “dissolve and precipitate” reaction mechanism of WO₃–STS catalyzed MO oxidative cleavage reaction.

Synthesis of novel chemicals from cardanol as a product of cashew nutshell processing

The conversion of the worldwide chemical production from fossil to sustainable resources is currently one of the most urgent tasks for the chemical industry. Based on this approach cardanol, a mixture of phenols with C15-chains as substituents is produced in some countries of the tropical zone from the processing of cashew nutshells. The paper reports the specific transformation of the aromatic moiety in this cheap material, and thus, the development of a novel route to potential useful green bifunctional chemicals in gram scale. Accordingly, cardanol was converted successfully in three steps into hexane-1,6-diols. The evaluation of appropriate synthesis methods and suitable conditions for each of these reaction steps is presented as an essential topic of these investigations. The target compounds synthesized in the reaction sequence are potential building blocks for future biomass-based chemicals and monomers for green polymeric materials, surfactants, and lubricants.

Synthesis of fatty ketoesters by tandem epoxidation–rearrangement with heterogeneous catalysis

Fatty ketoesters are obtained from unsaturated fatty esters in a tandem two-step process with a combination of two heterogeneous catalysts, without intermediate purification and with maximum productivity of the catalysts through recycling and reuse.

Editorial of Special Issue Ruthenium Complex: The Expanding Chemistry of the Ruthenium Complexes

Recent trends in Ru complex chemistry are surveyed with emphasis on the development of anticancer drugs and applications in catalysis, polymers, materials science and nanotechnology.