Iron-modified zeolite BETA: efficient catalyst in methyllaurate, 2-hexyl-1,3-dioxolane, 4-methyl-2-propyltetrahydro-2 H -pyran-4-ol and 4-methyl-2-phenyl-tetrahydro-2 H -pyran-4-ol synthesis

Several types of modified zeolite BETA38 with different iron loading were prepared. Prepared materials were characterized using different techniques (XRD, XRF, BET, UV–VIS, TPD, TPR, laser light scattering) with the focus on iron species types present in prepared materials. Catalytic activity of prepared materials was evaluated in lauric acid esterification with methanol, acetalization of heptanal with ethylene glycol and Prins reaction of isoprenol with butanal or benzaldehyde. A significant increase in material catalytic activity was observed after modification with iron in all cases, and no significant influence of iron amount on catalytic activity was observed. Material with 1wt% Fe loading provided > 90% conversion of reactants in case of esterification and acetalization (5 h). In Prins cyclization of benzaldehyde with isoprenol, the significant increase (fivefold, 40% increase) in achieved conversion was observed using Fe loaded Beta 38, whereas the increase was only slight (15% increase) in the reaction of butanal with isoprenol. Moreover, the possibility of catalyst reuse was confirmed.