Highly dispersed Cs2O/SiO2 catalysts for selective intramolecular dehydration of ethylene glycol monoethyl ether to ethyl vinyl ether

Intramolecular dehydration of ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGME) is a safe and green alternative for the synthesis of ethyl vinyl ether (EVE). A series of xCs(2)O/SiO2-T catalysts with highly dispersed Cs2O species was prepared via incipient wetness impregnation and showed excellent catalytic performance in intramolecular dehydration of EGME to EVE. The xCs(2)O/SiO2-T catalysts were well characterized to illustrate the relationship between the component, structure and surface state of catalysts, and the catalytic properties. The results indicated that both Cs2O contents and calcination temperatures strongly influence the surface acidic-basic properties of catalysts. Meanwhile, the surface Si-O-Cs species formed during the synthesis process was proved to reinforce the activity as well as the selectivity of xCs(2)O/SiO2-T catalysts. Under the conditions of 400 degrees C, atmosphere pressure, and WHSV = 0.56 h(-1), the 5Cs(2)O/SiO2-500 exhibited excellent stability with EGME conversion of similar to 72.5% and EVE selectivity of similar to 90%, respectively.