Synthesis of Methyl Isononanoate via Methoxycarbonylation of Diisobutylene Catalyzed by a Cobalt Catalyst Supported on a Nitrogen‐Doped Carrier

ABSTRACT A series of nitrogen‐doped cobalt salt–supported catalysts were synthesized to systematically investigate their catalytic performance in the methoxycarbonylation of diisobutylene (DIB). Various structurally stable nitrogen–doped supports were designed and fabricated, and their structures were comprehensively characterized using techniques such as Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), N 2 adsorption–desorption (BET), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, the effects of different reaction parameters on the catalytic performance were extensively studied. The results indicated that the in situ prepared Phen‐USY/Co 2 (CO) 8 catalyst achieved a DIB conversion of 91.5% with a selectivity of 86.9% under the conditions of a CH 3 OH:DIB molar ratio of 15:1, an N:Co molar ratio of 1:2, 4 wt.% Co 2 (CO) 8 , at 150°C, 8.0 MPa, and a reaction time of 12 h. In contrast, the Phen‐USY@Co (OAc) 2 catalyst synthesized via an impregnation method demonstrated improved performance with a DIB conversion of 93.5% and a methyl isononanoate selectivity of 89.6% under the conditions of 8 wt.% Phen‐USY@Co (OAc) 2 , a CH 3 OH: DIB molar ratio of 15:1, an N:Co molar ratio of 1:2, at 140°C, 8.0 MPa, and a reaction time of 14 h. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibited excellent substrate applicability and good reusability.