Ethers may have a more sustainable future thanks to heterogenous catalysis

Osaka, Japan – Optimizing chemical processes to ensure they are environmentally friendly and sustainable is becoming increasingly important and catalysts play a key role as they can make reactions more efficient. Researchers from Osaka University have reported a zirconium oxide-supported platinum-molybdenum catalyst that promotes the selective conversion of esters into valuable unsymmetrical ethers. Their findings are published in JACS Au.

Catalysts have long been at the heart of making chemical reactions faster, improving their yields, and making them less wasteful and more energy efficient, leading to processes that are more cost effective and better for the environment.

Ethers are organic molecules that have a range of uses in products such as fragrances, fuels, and pharmaceuticals. They contain an oxygen atom that can be thought of as a bridge between two parts. If the parts are the same, they are considered symmetrical; if they are different, they are unsymmetrical. Current routes to unsymmetrical ethers have various limitations. For example, some require specific starting materials, some produce large amounts of waste, and some need conditions—such as high pressure—that are expensive and/or polluting to produce.

Using just hydrogen to convert esters into ethers through direct hydrodeoxygenation can be thought of a hydrogen molecule (H₂) grabbing an oxygen atom out of the ester leaving the ether and a water molecule (H₂O). This is both efficient and clean; therefore, developing catalysts to promote this reaction under mild conditions has significant advantages.

“Our zirconium oxide-supported platinum-molybdenum catalyst allowed us to obtain good yields of over 20 unsymmetrical ethers under mild conditions using hydrogen molecules,” explains co-author of the study Sho Yamaguchi. “This is very encouraging because there are numerous naturally occurring and low-cost esters that can be made into more valuable ether products.”

The catalyst was easily separated from the reaction mixtures and could be reused without losing activity. It was also found to work when the hydrogen was at atmospheric pressure. In addition, the researchers showed that it was possible to convert a specific triglyceride derived from biomass into the corresponding triether. Biomass is a renewable resource, therefore processes appropriate for biomass-derived materials provide sustainable solutions.

“Our catalyst has significant potential for the environmentally friendly and sustainable production of unsymmetrical ethers,” says study corresponding author Tomoo Mizugaki. “If we are to continue enjoying the variety of products available today and maintain development at the rate we are accustomed to, catalysts such as ours will be key to an efficient and clean future.”

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The article, “Selective hydrodeoxygenation of esters to unsymmetrical ethers over a zirconium oxide-supported Pt–Mo catalyst,” was published in JACS Au at DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jacsau.1c00535

About Osaka University

Osaka University was founded in 1931 as one of the seven imperial universities of Japan and is now one of Japan's leading comprehensive universities with a broad disciplinary spectrum. This strength is coupled with a singular drive for innovation that extends throughout the scientific process, from fundamental research to the creation of applied technology with positive economic impacts. Its commitment to innovation has been recognized in Japan and around the world, being named Japan's most innovative university in 2015 (Reuters 2015 Top 100) and one of the most innovative institutions in the world in 2017 (Innovative Universities and the Nature Index Innovation 2017). Now, Osaka University is leveraging its role as a Designated National University Corporation selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to contribute to innovation for human welfare, sustainable development of society, and social transformation.

Website: https://resou.osaka-u.ac.jp/en