The catalytic
dehydration of a bio-based
fatty alcohol was performed using Al2O3 prepared by solvothermal synthesis for selective production of long-chain linear-alpha-
olefins (LAO). The effect of the synthesis temperature of
alumina precursors on the
dehydration of
1-octadecanol (C18H38O) was examined based on the textural properties and
Lewis acid-base properties of the catalysts. Amorphous
alumina synthesized at 325 °C showed the highest surface area (233.07 m2/g) and total pore volume (1.237 cm3/g) among the catalysts and the best
dehydration results: 93% conversion, 62% selectivity of
1-octadecene (C18H36), and 89% LAO purity. This was attributed to the increased Al/O ratio and atomic concentration of surface O in
alumina, which were important factors in the catalytic
dehydration of
1-octadecanol through the synergistic catalysis of
acid-base pairs. The produced bio-based LAO can be key intermediates for synthesis of oxo
alcohols and poly-alpha-
olefins, as alternatives to
petroleum-based LAO to achieve
carbon neutrality in chemical industry.