Optimizing vanillin and phenol production from benzyl phenyl ether using CoMoO4/H-ZSM-5: A Box-Behnken design approach

Authors

  • Irena Khatrin Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia; Solid Inorganic Framework Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
  • Duha Rushida Amanullah Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia; Solid Inorganic Framework Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
  • Rahmat Wibowo Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
  • Russell Francis Howe Department of Chemistry, School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
  • Yuni Krisyuningsih Krisnandi Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia; Solid Inorganic Framework Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61511/eam.v3i2.2025.2161

Keywords:

benzyl phenyl ether, vanillin, phenol, CoMoO4/H-ZSM-5, Box-Behnken design

Abstract

Background: Lignin valorization into high-value chemicals is crucial for sustainable development. This study focused on optimizing the catalytic conversion of benzyl phenyl ether (BPE), a lignin model compound, to vanillin and phenolic compounds. Methods: Hierarchical H-ZSM-5 was synthesized via a dual-template method and subsequently modified by wet impregnation with bimetallic cobalt and molybdenum oxides (CoMoO4/H-ZSM-5). Catalyst properties were thoroughly characterized using various techniques, including XRD, FTIR, XRF, N2-physisorption, and SEM-EDS mapping. Reaction conditions, specifically Co:Mo ratio, temperature, and reaction time, were optimized using the Box-Behnken design (BBD), and product yields were quantified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Findings: Characterization confirmed successful catalyst synthesis, organic template removal, and bimetal oxide incorporation without significant structural damage. Catalytic tests demonstrated 100% BPE conversion. The highest experimental vanillin yield achieved was 54.69%. BBD analysis revealed that the interaction between Co:Mo ratio and temperature, as well as the quadratic effect of Co:Mo ratio, were the most influential factors impacting product yields. The optimal parameters for maximizing vanillin and phenolic yield were determined to be a Co:Mo ratio of 3:7, a temperature of 169 °C, and a reaction time of 31 minutes. While the phenolic model showed a reasonable fit (R² = 0.76), the vanillin model exhibited a lower fit (R² = 0.34) with significant lack-of-fit. Conclusion: This research provides crucial insights into the efficient production of high-value chemicals from BPE, offering a comprehensive optimization approach for the CoMoO4/H-ZSM-5 catalytic system. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study represents a novel contribution to lignin valorization.

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Published

2025-12-31

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Khatrin, I., Amanullah, D. R., Wibowo, R., Howe, R. F., & Krisnandi, Y. K. (2025). Optimizing vanillin and phenol production from benzyl phenyl ether using CoMoO4/H-ZSM-5: A Box-Behnken design approach. Environmental and Materials, 3(2), 97–113. https://doi.org/10.61511/eam.v3i2.2025.2161

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Vol. 3 No. 2: (December) 2025

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Copyright (c) 2025 Irena Khatrin, Duha Rushida Amanullah, Rahmat Wibowo, Russell Francis Howe, Yuni Krisyuningsih Krisnandi

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