On-Line Composition Analysis of Complex Hydrocarbon Streams by Time-Resolved Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Ion-Molecule Reaction Mass Spectrometry.

On-line composition analysis of complex hydrocarbon mixtures is highly desirable to determine the composition of process streams and to study chemical reactions in heterogeneous catalysis. Here, we show how the combination of time-resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ion-molecule-reaction mass spectrometry (IMR-MS) can be used for compositional analysis of processed plant biomass streams. The method is based on the biomass-derived model compound 2,5-dimethylfuran and its potential catalytic conversion to valuable green aromatics, for example, benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) over zeolite β. Numerous conversion products can be determined and quantified simultaneously in a temporal resolution of 4 min-1 without separation of individual compounds. The realization of this method enables us to study activity, selectivity, and changes in composition under transient reaction conditions. For example, increasing isomerization of 2,5-dimethylfuran to 2,4-dimethylfuran, 2-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, and 2-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one is observed as the catalyst is exposed to the reactant, while BTX and olefin formation is decreasing.