Post-modified FAU zeolites as efficient catalysts for the synthesis of coumarins.

[Display omitted] • Lignin has been used to introduce mesoporosity in FAU zeolites. • Micro- and mesoporous FAU zeolites have been prepared via hydrothermal and alkaline desilication. • Coumarins have been succesfully synthesized using H-FAU zeolites. Herein, the effect of various treatments subjected to FAU zeolites to introduce mesoporosity has been examined on their efficiency as catalyst in the cyclisation of O -aryl 3-arylpropynoic acid ester to its corresponding coumarin. The addition of bio-sourced lignin residues in the alkaline desilication treatment induced the generation of supplementary mesoporosity, thus offering an optimal micro- and mesopores combination with respect to targeted activity and selectivity. The so-called bio-sourced secondary template (BSST) concept in the design of zeolite-based catalysts could be assessed. The use of renewable wood feedstocks can therefore be a valuable strategy for the zeolite post-modification, thus for the design of porous zeolite catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]