Work

Unveiling the Catalytic Superiority of Ti-MWW Zeolite for Sustainable Lactide Production from Methyl Lactate

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The gas-phase route from methyl lactate (ML) to lactide (LD) holds significant promise for sustainable monomer production, offering a valuable platform to explore the structure–activity landscape of heterogeneous catalysts. Here, we investigate a series of Ti-containing zeolite catalysts, including both TiO 2 -impregnated and Ti-incorporated microporous materials, to elucidate the structural and electronic factors governing LD selectivity and productivity. MWW-type titanosilicates, featuring open frameworks and high external surface areas, consistently outperformed conventional microporous and mesoporous counterparts. Notably, Ti-MWW-del, prepared via delamination of a silanol-rich MWW precursor, achieved the highest lactide productivity, enabled by superior Ti site dispersion and framework-accessible active environments. A combination of complementary spectroscopic analyses (UV–vis, Solid-state NMR, and ToF-SIMS) indicates that the enhanced catalytic performance arises from highly dispersed TiO 4 species embedded within defect-rich, hydrogen-bonded environments, which enhance the electrophilic character of Ti centers and improve substrate accessibility. We delineate how framework-incorporated, externally accessible open architecture of TiO 4 sites in delaminated MWW govern per-site activity, LD selectivity, and durability under realistic throughputs, against TS-1 and TiO 2 -impregnated supports. These findings highlight the potential of defect-engineered, framework-substituted zeolites for selective biomass-derived chemical transformations.

Source: ACS Omega

DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.5c09431

Authors: Haerin Lee, Jeong Gil Seo, Seung Hyeok Cha, Dong Won Hwang

Institutions: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Hanyang University, Korea University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Zeolite Catalysis and Synthesis

Subfield: Inorganic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,935

Funders: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, National Research Council of Science and Technology