One-Pot Synthesis of Menthol from Citral over Ni/H-β-38 Extrudates Containing Bentonite Clay Binder in Batch and Continuous Reactors

Optimization of bifunctional Ni catalysts was performed to enhance the catalytic performance in one-pot synthesis commercially valuable menthol from citral. The effect nickel precursors (nitrate, chloride, acetate, and sulfate) addition bentonite clay investigated citral transformations a batch reactor at 70 °C 10 bar hydrogen, demonstrating higher activity for Ni-H-β-38-bentonite composite derived nitrate precursor, which can be attributed surface area, optimal Brønsted Lewis acidity metal particle size, as well egg-shell distribution particles. H-β-38 impregnated with nitrate, followed by calcination reduction, shaped binder give extrudates exploring trickle-bed 50–70 hydrogen. highest selectivity desired menthols 45% obtained 70% stereoselectivity isomer °C. apparent activation energy 18.6 kJ/mol indicated presence mass transfer limitations. Catalytic linked physical-chemical properties, were characterized transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy pyridine, N2 physisorption, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry methods.