Biomass-mediated ZSM-5 zeolite synthesis: when self-assembly allows to cross the Si/Al lower limit.

A family of Al-rich ZSM-5 zeolites with Si/Al = 8 ± 0.5 was prepared according to a biomass-mediated supramolecular approach. A combination of advanced characterisation techniques and periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations unraveled the purity and stability of un-expected Al-enriched ZSM-5 structures, hence allowing to cross the frontier of Si/Al lower limit.

On the relationship between the basicity of a surface and its ability to catalyze transesterification in liquid and gas phases: the case of MgO.

Gas or liquid phase transesterification reactions are used in the field of biomass valorization to transform some platform molecules into valuable products. Basic heterogeneous catalysts are often claimed for these applications but the role of basicity in the reaction mechanism depending on the operating conditions is still under debate. In order to compare the catalyst properties necessary to perform a transesterification reaction both in liquid and gas phases, ethyl acetate and methanol, which can be easily processed both in these two phases, were chosen as reactants.

Covalent grafting of organic-inorganic polyoxometalates hybrids onto mesoporous SBA-15: a key step for new anchored homogeneous catalysts.

Covalent grafting of heteropolyanions hybrids B,α-[As(III)W9O33{P(O)(CH2CH2CO2H)}2](5-) on 3-aminopropyl functionalized SBA-15 has been achieved through the formation of peptide bonds. The covalent link has been confirmed by using IR and (13)C CP MAS NMR spectroscopies. Electrostatic interactions between carboxylate and protonated amines have been discarded on the basis of the retention of POMs after repeated washings of the resulting material by ionic liquid (bmimCl).