Liquid-phase dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide using sulfated zirconia as a solid acid catalyst Original Research Article

Sulfated zirconia catalysts have been prepared with zirconium (IV) hydroxide and sulfuric acid as the sources of zirconia and sulfate group, respectively. In this study, liquid-phase dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide is investigated in the presence of the catalysts under various reaction conditions including reaction temperature, time, catalyst dosage and sulfur content/acidity of the catalysts. The results show that sulfated zirconia, with high sulfur content and a tetragonal crystalline structure, is a promising solid acid catalyst that can be used at least four times in the dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide.