Microwave assisted synthesis of tetrahydrofuran via acid catalyzed cyclodehydration of 1,4-butanediol

Michael J. Gorka, Peter M. Smith

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The uses of tetrahydrofuran (THF) in modern society are vast. It is often used as a solvent due to its ability to dissolve many substances. However, it is also utilized as a monomer for the polymer poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMEG). The current method of synthesizing THF on an industrial level involves the cyclodehydration of 1,4-butanediol using an homogenous acid catalyst at 250°C under 100 atm pressure for 2 -to 4.5 hours. This is a very inefficient and energy intensive process. Much work has been done in an attempt to make this process more green. The use of reusable heterogeneous zeolites as acid catalysts has been shown to be an effective method for the cyclodehydration. To date, no research has been done to study the possible effects of microwave irradiation on this process. This work describes the green synthesis and characterization of tetrahydrofuran from 1,4-butanediol using microwave irradiation with various acid catalysts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAmerican Chemical Society - 235th National Meeting, Abstracts of Scientific Papers
StatePublished - 2008
Event235th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, ACS 2008 - New Orleans, LA, United States
Duration: Apr 6 2008Apr 10 2008

Publication series

NameACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts
ISSN (Print)0065-7727

Other

Other235th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, ACS 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans, LA
Period4/6/084/10/08

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

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