The
solution dynamics behavior of polyoxometalates (POMs) is essential
to understand their catalytic mechanism under real conditions. Herein,
the phase-transfer process of a novel catalyst PVDB-VBC-IM-PW12 (copolymer of divinylbenzene with 4-vinylbenzyl chloride
as the support, imidazole methyl as the linker, and α-PW12O40
3– as catalytic active sites)
for cellulose esterification was studied for the first time by molecular
dynamics simulations. The simulation results show that the synergistic
effect of the polymer support and the ionic liquid can overcome the
electrostatic repulsion of the POM anions, and the catalyst can be
synthesized firmly in an aqueous solution. The catalyst structure
becomes loose in the acid solution, exposing the active sites of PW12 to catalyze cellulose. After the esterification is completed,
the cellulose ester without hydroxyl groups loses the H-bond with
PW12 and is separated from the catalyst. At the same time,
PW12 is reloaded on the support. In addition, it was also
found that the active site of PW12 is mainly the bridging
oxygen Ob1 instead of the outermost terminal oxygen Ot. This is due
to the formation of stronger hydrogen bonds between Ob1 and the hydroxyl
group on the cellulose. These findings reveal the dynamic behavior
mechanism of POMs in catalytic reactions at the molecular level, which
is very helpful for the design of efficient POM-based catalysts.