Reactions of Phenol, Water, Acetic Acid, Methanol, and 2-Hydroxymethylfuran with Olefins as Models for Bio-oil Upgrading

Model liquid phase reactions of 1-octene with phenol in the presence of water, acetic acid, methanol, and 2-hydroxymethylfuran, respectively, were carried out over acid catalysts for bio-oil upgrading, including 30 wt % acidic salt Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 supported on K-10 clay (30%Cs2.5/K-10), Nafion (NR50) and Amberlyst 15. Temperatures front 40 to 120 degrees C were examined. Both catalysts had 1 high activity and selectivity for O-alkylation of phenol with 1-octene but not with 2,4,4-trimethylpentene. The presence of water, acetic acid, and methanol lowered the yield of alkylated phenols by the competitive Formation of octanols and dioctyl ethers, octyl acetates, and methyl ethers, respectively. Higher O-alkylation selectivity was obtained at the expense of lower phenol conversion in the presence of water, methanol, or acetic acid. 30%Cs2.5/K-10 is an excellent water-tolerant catalyst while Amberlyst 15 decomposed at higher temperatures and higher water concentrations. 2-Hydroxymethylfuran deactivated catalysts significantly, indicating fin-an derivatives in bio-oil may require modification before upgrading with olefins.