Here we report experimental evidence for the simple synthesis of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine and an amide bond formation reaction from oxidation of the alpha-carbon of tertiary amines by the reaction of triethylamine and hydrogen peroxide in hydrothermal conditions. It is proved that 120 °C is a turning point: when the temperature is lower than that, the main product is N,N-diethylhydroxylamine as a result of a cope rearrangement reaction mechanism; on the contrary, the product is more complex and the main products are amides via a radical chain mechanism involving three steps: initiation, propagation, and oxidation, followed by decarbonylation and electrocyclization because the radical is easier to form under high temperature.

In order to correlate the physico-chemical properties of CexZr1-xO2 catalysts with their catalytic activities for direct carboxylation of methanol to dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ceria-zirconia mixed oxides with the same nominal composition (Ce0.5Zr0.5O2), which were prepared by different methods, were applied. The catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, N2 adsorption, ICP-MS, NH3-TPD, CO2-TPD, Raman spectroscopy and XPS. Significant variations in their physico-chemical properties were observed by varying the preparation conditions. The results showed that the catalytic activity of the ceria-zirconia mixed oxides increased with improving the proportion of Ce4+, acidity and basicity of the catalyst surface. And the number of surface Ce4+ content is the most important factor.We reported that different preparation methods of Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 catalysts have great influences on their surface and bulk properties and catalytic activities of synthesis of DMC from methanol and CO2.Download high-res image (163KB)Download full-size image

•The sulfated MMT catalysts were synthesized through a simple impregnation method.•The sulfate groups promote the amount of strong acid sites and the acidic amount.•The 20-SO42 −/MTT exhibits the best performance for the conversion of glucose to ML.•The layers of MMT were damaged when the concentration of sulfuric acid is 30 wt.%.We reported a highly efficient conversion of carbohydrates such as glucose to methyl levulinate (ML) in methanol with a series of sulfated montmorillonite (MMT) as simple and inexpensive catalysts. Among these catalysts, the MMT treated by H2SO4 after calcination (especially the MMT treated by 20% H2SO4) showed a high catalytic activity. Under the optimal conditions, the conversion of glucose and fructose was up to 100%, and the ML yields obtained from glucose and fructose were 48% and 65%, respectively. The reaction conditions were optimized. Further, the structure and properties of sulfated MMT were characterized.We reported a highly efficient conversion of carbohydrates such as glucose to methyl levulinate (ML) in methanol with a series of sulfated montmorillonite (MMT) as an affordable and easily prepared solid acid catalyst.Download high-res image (164KB)Download full-size image