Effect of the carbon nanotube basicity in Pd/N-CNT catalysts on the synthesis of R-1-phenyl ethyl acetate

Catalytic activities of palladium catalysts supported on activated carbon and carbon nanotubes were investigated in the one-pot synthesis of R-1-phenylethyl acetate in combination with an immobilized lipase in toluene. Palladium catalysts on carbon nanotubes with nitrogen-containing surface groups were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation. The basic N-CNT support was synthesized by post-treating oxidized CNTs in gaseous NH3 at high temperature, prior to Pd addition. The basic character of the support was adjusted by controlling the temperature of the post-treatment step. The results showed that the desired product yield was enhanced over palladium catalysts with the lowest basicity