Efficient and high para-selective conversion of toluene with NO2 to para-nitrotoluene in an O2–Ac2O–HβD4 composite catalytic system

In this work, we have developed a green method for the preparation of para-nitrotoluene through the catalytic nitration of toluene with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) under the promotion of dioxygen (O2). The experimental results reveal that the dealumination of Hβ zeolite has a significant effect on the catalysis of the developed NO2–O2–acetic anhydride (Ac2O) system, in which the conversion of toluene is 78.1% and the selectivity to para-nitrotoluene is 71.8%. Furthermore, the nature of different dealuminated catalysts was investigated by nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), pyridine adsorbed Fourier-transform infrared (Py-FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 27Al magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (27Al MAS NMR) techniques. The results of characterization indicate that the structure of the Hβ zeolite still remains and that of Al species in the extra-framework is preferentially removed after acid treatment. Based on the combined results of catalytic characterization and DFT calculation, a feasible reaction mechanism of improved para-selectivity in toluene nitration was suggested for the NO2–O2–Ac2O system.