STUDY OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERSION AND ADSORPTION OF ABIETIC ACID ON ACTIVATED CARBON: EFFECT OF SURFACE ACIDITY

Abstract

This study reports the adsorption and catalytic conversion of abietic acid as representative compound of tall oil, using activated carbons. Acid functionalgroups present on CGRAN activated carbons favored the adsorption of abietic acid, probably through a physical adsorption mechanism. In contrast, the conversionof abietic acid was not favored in DARCO activated carbon by increase of acid sites thought HNO3 treatment. The detection of neoabietic, palustric and/orlevopimaric acids as reaction products indicate that the transformation of abietic acid was by dehydrogenation and/or isomerization routes. The negative influenceof acid sites on the catalytic activity, in addition to the non-detection of volatile products, suggests that the cracking pathway for the conversion of abietic acidover these catalysts can be ruled out. Contrasting effects of the surface groups on the adsorption capacity and the conversion was observed: strong acid sites ofCGRAN activated carbon favor the adsorption of abietic acid and decrease competitive adsorption between substrate and solvent, while conversion is not favoredby these acid sites.