Conversion Single Reagent of n-Propanol to 1,1-Dipropoxypropane Using Cr/Activated Carbon Catalyst

Synthesis of 1,1-dipropoxypropane from a single reagent of n-propanol using Cr/Activated Carbon (Cr/AC) as a catalyst has been done. Activated carbon (AC) was prepared by activating coconut shell carbon at 650 °C in the atmosphere of N2 at a flow rate of 20 mL/min for 4 h, and then it was washed using acetone in a Soxhlet for 15 rounds, washed three times by 1.0 M HCl, and finally, it was sieved at 60-80 mesh. Metal content was analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and represented by Na, Ca, and Fe. The AC was impregnated with Cr (VI) solution and reduced with H2 at 650 °C. The acidity of the Cr catalyst was determined by the adsorption of ammonia. Optimation of n-propanol conversion to 1,1-dipropoxypropane using Cr/AC catalyst in the atmosphere of N2 was conducted in an oven using variations of temperature of 450, 500, and 550 °C, amount of catalyst of 5, 10, and 15 g, and flow rate of alcohol of 0.10, 0.50, and 0.90 mL/min. The conversions of 1,1-dipropoxypropane were analyzed by GC-MS and1H-NMR. The results showed that the AC's metal content significantly decreased after washing with acetone and 1.0 M HCl. The AC and Cr/AC had 2.49 and 8.27 mmol/g acidity, respectively. The highest product of 1,1-dipropoxypropane of 65.0% was reached at 450 °C using a 5 g catalyst at a flow rate of the alcohol 0.10 mL/min.