Catalytic Activities of Fe3+- and Zn2+-Natural Zeolite on the Direct Cyclisation-Acetylation of (R)-(+)-Citronellal

Characterisation and catalytic ativities investigation of modified natural zeolite on cyclisation acetylation reaction of (R)-(+)-citronellal was performed. The experimental work involved isolation of (R)-(+)-citronellal from Java Citronella oil (Cymbopogon winterianus) by vacuum fractional distillation, determination of its enantiomer, preparation and characterisation of different catalysts i.e. H-natural zeolite (H-Za), Fe3+-natural zeolite (Fe3+-Za), and Zn2+-natural zeolite (Zn2+-Za), followed by examination of catalytic activity and selectivity. Isolated citronellal contained 88.21% ee of (R)-(+)-citronellal. The main products of cyclisation-acetylation of (R)-(+)-citronellal was IPA (isopulegyl acetate) and NIPA (neo-isopulegyl acetate). Although the highest yield of IPA and NIPA was obtained by Fe3+-Za catalyst (78.69%) at 80oC and 120 min, the stereoselectivity of Fe3+-Za slightly lower than that of Zn2+-Za. Structure elucidation of citronellal and products was carried out by means of GC and GC-MS. Lewis acidity plays the role of acetyl ionic formation from acetic anhydride. The Activity and stereoselectivity of catalysts depended on Lewis acidity and cation distribution on the catalyst surface. ？ 2014 BCREC UNDIP. All rights reserved Received: 18th December 2013; Revised: 9th April 2014; Accepted: 17th April 2014 [ How to Cite: Cahyono, E., Muchalal, M., Triyono, T., Pranowo, H.D. (2014). Catalytic Activities of Fe3+- and Zn2+-Natural Zeolite on the Direct Cyclisation-Acetylation of (R)-(+)-Citronellal. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 9 (2): 128-135. (doi:10.9767/bcrec.9.2.5936.128-135) ] [ Permalink/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.9.2.5936.128-135