Attempt to quantify the hydrophobic character of highly dealuminated H-mordenites in hydroxymethylation of furfuryl alcohol with aqueous formaldehyde

The hydrophobic character of three dealuminated mordenites has been investi gated and quantified from the kinetic study of the hydroxymethylation of fu rfuryl alcohol with aqueous formaldehyde. The affinity constant of the subs trate for the siliceous framework of the zeolite reflects this hydrophobic character and increases with the Si/Al ratio. These results are in agreemen t with adsorption measurements of furfuryl alcohol from aqueous solutions o n dealuminated mordenites. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.