ALDOL CONDENSATION OF FURFURAL WITH ACETONE CATALYZED BY NITROGENATED ORGANIC BASES: A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE CATALYTIC PERFORMANCE TOWARD THE PRODUCTION OF BIOJET FUEL

The aldol condensation between furfural and acetone was studied in the presence of organic bases, such as Piperazine (PIP), 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and 1,5,7-Triazabicyclo [4.4.0] dec-5-ene (TBD), as basic catalysts. The latter base showed the highest conversion rates of furfural and high selectivity to the single-condensation product 4-(2-Furyl)-3-buten-2-on (F-Ac). These data are consistent with the greater basicity of TBD in relation to the other amines. This study was carried out aiming at the future anchoring of the bases in inorganic supports for the production of heterogeneous catalysts.