The low volatility of biomass-derived compounds and the omnipresence of water in biomass feed streams typically requires that their conversion/upgrading by catalytic routes be conducted at “buried” solid-liquid interfaces.  Under these circumstances, the role of solvent becomes critical since it constitutes the majority species in solution and most likely on the catalyst surface.  The interactions between solute and solvent in solution (i.e., excess solution thermodynamic properties) and at a solvated interface are complicated but must be accounted for when measuring chemical kinetics (i.e., activities versus concentration) or determining reaction mechanisms.  In this tutorial talk, we will review the ability of calorimetry to characterize solid-liquid interfaces.  Following an introduction to solution-phase calorimetry, including theory and practical experimental considerations, I will provide examples from our own research using calorimetry to quantitatively assess water tolerance (or conversely water inhibition) in heterogeneous organocatalysts using a simple esterification reaction.  From our participation in collaborative research, I will demonstrate how solvent effects can be accounted for quantitatively for catalytic reactions involving reactions of sugars in zeolites.

Solution calorimetry methods for the study of catalytic solid-liquid interfaces

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.