%0 Journal Article %A Zhang, Xingguang %A Rabee, Abdallah I.M. %A Isaacs, Mark %A Lee, Adam F. %A Wilson, Karen %D 2018 %T Sulfated Zirconia Catalysts for D‑Sorbitol Cascade Cyclodehydration to Isosorbide: Impact of Zirconia Phase %U https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Sulfated_Zirconia_Catalysts_for_D_Sorbitol_Cascade_Cyclodehydration_to_Isosorbide_Impact_of_Zirconia_Phase/7248422 %R 10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b03268.s001 %2 https://acs.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/13350044 %K Zirconia Phase Isosorbide %K pyrosulfate formation %K parent support %K ZrO 2 %K alternative heterogeneously %K mineral acids %K isosorbide %K Isosorbide selectivity %K Sulfated Zirconia Catalysts %K acid site density %K sorbitan %K phase cascade conversion %K zirconia phase %K acid sites %K cascade proceeds %K sulfated zirconia %K acid catalysts %K Monoclinic SZ exhibits %K Aqueous phase D-sorbitol conversion %K biorenewable polymers %X Isosorbide is a widely touted intermediate for the production of biorenewable polymers and plastics, accessible through the aqueous phase cascade conversion of D-sorbitol to isosorbide via 1,4-sorbitan. However, existing routes to isosorbide typically employ mineral acids under forcing conditions, and hence alternative heterogeneously catalyzed processes are highly desirable. Aqueous phase D-sorbitol conversion was therefore investigated over families of sulfated zirconia (SZ) solid acid catalysts, with the effect of employing monoclinic, tetragonal ZrO2, or Zr­(OH)4 as the parent support compared. The cascade proceeds via a stepwise dehydration to 1,4-sorbitan and subsequently isosorbide, with the latter favored over stronger acid sites. Monoclinic SZ exhibits superior activity to tetragonal SZ, reflecting a higher acid site density and pyrosulfate formation at lower SO42– loadings than over the other supports. Isosorbide selectivity at iso-conversion was proportional to acid site density, but independent of zirconia phase. %I ACS Publications