Synthesis of mesoporous silicas from renewable moldings for the development of heterogeneous enzymatic catalysts and their application in esterification reactions of interest in fine chemistry

Abstract

In this work plan, nanostructured mesoporous silicas will be designed, synthesized and characterized from renewable molding agents (glyceryl monostearate and glycerol) to develop heterogeneous catalysts, in order to evaluate them in esterification reactions of relevance in the field of fine chemistry. These materials will be modified by the wet impregnation method, with Ca 2.5 % w/w content. The catalysts will be characterized by N₂ adsorption and desorption isotherms, Brunauer – Emmett – Teller surface area analysis, X-Ray Diffraction and Infrared Spectroscopy. In this way, it is intended to bring sustainability to the chemical industry, from the use of residual glycerol and/or glyceryl monostearate for the synthesis of mesoporous catalytic supports and an enzymatic esterification pathway that allows mild and eco-compatible reaction conditions.