A Brønsted acid ionic liquid, 3-methyl-1-(4-sulfonylbutyl) imidazolium hydrogensulfate ([HO3S(CH2)4mim]HSO4), was used for the first time for the preparation of a sulfonated carbon catalyst. The catalyst was prepared from the residue obtained after recovery of the essential oil from the leaves of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum. The sulfonated carbon catalyst with an amorphous structure attained high acidic efficiency at a sulfonation temperature of 200 °C for 2 h of sulfonation time, and was characterised. SEM morphologies revealed that the carbon catalyst consisted of uniform carbon microspores. FTIR analysis, elemental analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the sulfonic acid group was successfully introduced on the surface of the sulfonated carbon catalyst. The result of TG analysis showed that the obtained sulfonated carbon catalyst has high thermal stability. Good acid and catalytic activity of the obtained sulfonated carbon catalyst were observed for the preparation of ellagic acid and gallic acid, which is comparable to those of diluted sulfuric acid and a sulfonated carbon catalyst that had been prepared with concentrated sulfuric acid. The excellent reusability of the sulfonated carbon catalyst was also confirmed by repeated experimental trials. In summary, the sulfonated catalyst derived from the residue obtained after recovery of essential oil from the leaves of C. longepaniculatum is an economic, eco-benign and promising substitute for traditional mineral acid catalysts for acidic catalysis in industrial applications.
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.