Oxidative esterification of 1,2-propanediol to methyl lactate catalyzed by Au/Cu-Apatite catalyst in an alkali-free methanol system
摘要
In this study, Au/Cu-Apatite catalysts were prepared by substituting Ca in hydroxyapatite with Cu and loading Au. The structural properties of the catalysts were investigated and their catalytic performance were evaluated in the conversion of 1,2-propanediol to methyl lactate. Results indicate that, compared to the unsubstituted Au/HAP catalyst, the Au/Cu-Apatite catalyst demonstrates higher conversion of 1,2-propanediol and selectivity for methyl lactate. Under optimal conditions, the 2Au/Cu-Apatite-2 catalyst achieved a 1,2-propanediol conversion of 71.6% and a methyl lactate selectivity of 64.6%. This enhanced performance is attributed to the Au–Cu interaction, which modulated the oxidizing activity of Au active sites, thereby accelerating the rate of the catalytic oxidation of 1,2-propanediol, the rate-controlling step, and improving the overall reaction conversion. Furthermore, the Au/Cu-Apatite catalyst significantly enhanced the conversion of the intermediate hydroxyacetone to methyl lactate, resulting in an increased selectivity of methyl lactate in the final product.