Production of renewable 1,3-pentadiene over LaPO4 via dehydration of 2,3-pentanediol derived from 2,3-pentanedione

1,3-Pentadiene plays an extremely important role in the production of polymers and fine chemicals. Herein, the LaPO4 catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic performance for the dehydration production of 1,3-pentadiene with 2,3-pentanediol, a C5 diol platform compound that can be easily obtained by hydrogenation of bio-based 2,3-pentanedione. The relationships of catalyst structure-acid/base properties-catalytic performance was established, and an acid-base synergy effect was disclosed for the on-purpose synthesis of 1,3-pentadiene. Thus, a balance between acid and base sites was required, and an optimized LaPO4 with acid/base ratio of 2.63 afforded a yield of 1,3-pentadiene as high as 61.5% at atmospheric pressure. Notably, the Brønsted acid sites with weak or medium in LaPO4 catalyst can inhibit the occurrence of pinacol rearrangement, resulting in higher 1,3-pentadiene production. In addition, the investigation on reaction pathways demonstrated that the E2 mechanism was dominant in this dehydration reaction, accompanied by the assistance of E1 and E1cb. [Display omitted] •An alternative approach for renewable 1,3-pentadiene production.•The acid-base sites of LaPO4 catalysts can be precisely regulated.•The acid-base synergy effect promotes the efficient production of 1,3-pentadiene.•The Brønsted acid sites can inhibit the occurrence of pinacol rearrangement.•The E2 mechanism was dominant, accompanied by the assistance of E1 and E1cb.