Application of Sulfated Tin (IV) Oxide Solid Superacid Catalyst to Partial Coupling Reaction of -Pinene to Produce Less Viscous High-Density Fuel

초록

BrOnsted acid-catalyzed reactions of -pinene have been studied because of their ability to produce various types of fragrance molecules. Beyond this application, dimeric hydrocarbon products produced from coupling reactions of -pinene have been suggested as renewable high-density fuel molecules. In this context, this paper presents the application of a sulfated tin(IV) oxide catalyst for the partial coupling reaction of -pinene from turpentine. BrOnsted acid sites inherent in this solid superacid catalyst calcined at 550 degrees C successfully catalyzed the reaction, giving the largest yield of dimeric products (49.6%) at 120 degrees C over a reaction time of 4 h. Given that the low-temperature viscosity of the mentioned dimeric products is too high for their use as a fuel in transportation engines, lowering the viscosity is an important avenue of study. Therefore, our partial coupling reaction of -pinene provides a possible solution as a considerable amount of the isomers of -pinene still remained after the reaction, which reduces the low-temperature viscosity. On the basis of a comparison of the reaction products, a plausible mechanism for the reaction involving coinstantaneous isomerization and coupling reaction of -pinene was elucidated.

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