Reaction induced thermally stabilized TS-1 zeolite as a novel long-lasting catalyst for methyl lactate production

Abstract

Commercial TS-1 zeolite was functionalized as a stable catalyst for the one-pot transformation of fructose to methyl lactate (MLA) by the reaction solvent (methanol) to generate increased catalytic activity. As a result, TS-1 was recycled for 14 cycles without a regeneration process by calcination and accompanied by a surprising increased catalytic activity. This work is expected to provide a new option for the industrial production of biomass-based MLA by heterogeneous chemocatalysis.