Efficient Conversion of Methyl Lactate to Methyl Acrylate over Cesium-Modified Al-Rich Beta Zeolites

Dehydration of methyl lactate (ML) obtained from biomass is a sustainable route for the production of methyl acrylate (MA). Herein, we demonstrate that cesium-exchanged Al-rich Beta zeolite (Cs-Beta) is highly efficient for the dehydration of ML to MA, exhibiting full ML conversion with 87.4% MA yield at 340 °C. In situ FT-IR spectra and kinetic studies provide evidence that the ML dehydration on the Cs-Beta zeolite follows a forward ion-exchange/dehydration/reverse ion-exchange reaction pathway. Model experiments, DFT calculations, TG-DSC analysis, and FT-IR spectra showed that coke formation competes with the dehydration of ML to MA. Kinetic studies and theoretical simulations demonstrate that cesium cations in the micropores of Beta zeolite have a strong steric hindrance, suppressing the formation of oligomers and coke. These results offer new insights for developing highly selective and stable catalysts for the dehydration of ML to MA in the future.