Green Synthesis and Optimization of Biomass-Based Iodohexane from Rice Straw via Photonanocatalysis
This study aims to develop and optimize the iodohexane production process based on renewable biomass, is rice straw. The process was developed through three main stages: cellulose extraction, conversion of cellulose to sorbitol using MnLaFeO₃ photonanocatalytic, and conversion of sorbitol to iodohexane using two types of reactants—HI and a combination of NaI, H₂SO₄, HCOOH, and ethanol. The main control variables in the sorbitol conversion process are the type of reactant, reaction temperature, and reaction time. The experimental results showed that the use of a combination of NaI, H₂SO₄, HCOOH, and ethanol reactants provided higher yield, mass, and profit of iodohexane production compared to the use of direct HI. An empirical model was developed to predict yield, mass, and profit, and validated through sequential sum of squares tests, model summary statistics, and residual analysis. Optimization was carried out using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Genetic Algorithm (GA), and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) methods, all of which produced optimum conditions at a temperature of 90 °C for 60 minutes using combined reactants. Validation of product characteristics was carried out using FTIR and GC-MS, which confirmed the presence of iodohexane compounds. This pathway supports green chemistry principles through iodide regeneration, mild reaction conditions (90 °C; 1 atm), and reduced hazardous effluent relative to petrochemical iodination routes.