Synthesis of renewable diesel and jet fuel range alkanes using 2-methylfuran and cyclohexanone

Abstract

New solid acid catalysts were prepared by bisphenol A, paraformaldehyde and chlorosulfonic acid, and applied to hydroxylalkylation/alkylation (HAA) of 2-methylfuran (2-MF) and cyclohexanone. After optimizing the reaction conditions, the conversion of 2-MF reached 99% and the yield of 5,5′-(cyclohexane-1,1-diyl)bis(2-methylfuran) acquired 98%. The activity and catalytic efficiency were higher than those of Amberlyst 15 and Amberlyst 36 resins, which could be rationalized by high acid strength. At the same time, the catalysts were characterized by acid–base titration and FTIR. Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of HAA products of 2-methylfuran and cyclopentanone were processed on the Ni/SiO₂ catalyst prepared by wet impregnation method to further convert into aviation kerosene, and the yield reached 93%.