Mannose carbonylation with urea or the synthesis of bio-based fuel additive chemicals / Nor Asrul Bin Maarof

Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology

Final Year Report (Bachelor of Applied Science of Industrial Chemistry) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah - 2025

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The synthesis of bio-based chemicals as fuel additives offers a sustainable alternative to reduce reliance on non-renewable resources. This research focuses on the carbonylation of mannose with urea to produce mannose carbonate, a six-membered cyclic organic carbonate with potential applications as a renewable fuel additive. The study employs heterogeneous catalysts, specifically ZrO2/MCM-41 and CeO2/MCM-41, prepared using the wet impregnation method, which enhance reaction efficiency and selectivity. The objectives include investigating the physico-chemical properties of the catalysts, optimizing the reaction parameters, and assessing the feasibility of mannose carbonate as a fuel additive. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using advanced analytical techniques, such as XRD, FTIR, BET, and acido-basic analysis, to evaluate their structural and chemical properties. Reaction products were analysed using FTIR and GC-FID to determine yield and selectivity. Results revealed that the mannose carbonate synthesis process is significantly influenced by catalyst properties, reaction temperature, and duration. The catalysts demonstrated high reusability, with minimal loss in activity after multiple cycles. Mannose carbonate, with its oxygen-rich structure, exhibited superior combustion properties, reducing emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, thereby enhancing fuel combustion efficiency and cleanliness. The findings provide a foundation for scaling up bio-based fuel additives, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.