Green route for the chlorination of nitrobenzene

• Published in: Applied catalysis. A, General General, 2012-12, Vol.449, p.1-8
• Main Authors: Boltz, Marilyne, de Mattos, Márcio C.S., Esteves, Pierre M., Pale, Patrick, Louis, Benoit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemistry; Chlorination; Continuous flow; Deactivation; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Green chemistry; Ion-exchange; Nitrobenzene; Nitrobenzenes; Reactors; Surface physical chemistry; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA); Zeolite; Zeolites; Zeolites: preparations and properties
• ISSN: 0926-860X; 1873-3875
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcata.2012.09.021

[Display omitted] ► Novel green chlorination process of nitrobenzene. ► Continuous gas–solid reactor system at mild temperature, 150°C. ► Use of eco-friendly zeolite catalysts instead of strong liquid acids. ► HUSY zeolite was found as the more promising catalyst, allowing 39% nitrobenzene conversion. A new green chlorination process of deactivated aromatics has been developed, being environmental-friendly and allowing the continuous chlorination of 1.7kg nitrobenzene/kg catalyst per day. The triple novelty consists of using a non-conventional chlorination agent, the trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA, C3N3O3Cl3), along with solid acid catalysts (mainly zeolites) in a continuous flow reactor system. Different zeolites and solid acids have been tested in the chlorination of nitrobenzene, chosen as a model deactivated aromatic substrate. HUSY zeolite was found as the more promising catalyst for performing the chlorination of nitrobenzene, with good conversions (39–64%) at high selectivity toward monochlorinated products (90–99%). Finally, it is worthy to note that HUSY zeolite could be reused for at least five successive runs.