For the first time, a selective catalytic conversion of thermally induced side products (humins) from biomass valorization to short‐chain carboxylic acids like formic acid and acetic acid is reported. Very interestingly, we found that homogeneous polyoxometalate catalysts could selectively oxidize humins from sugar‐derived levulinic acid production to formic acid and acetic acid under very mild conditions in a simple monophasic aqueous approach. This green and sustainable process offers a very cost‐effective and sustainable way for the conversion of undesired humins and benefits from its low reaction temperature (90‐120 °C) and its tunable product distribution. By variation of process parameters and chemical composition of the POM structures, we could control both product selectivity and humin conversion. Furthermore, catalyst recycling over three batches has been successfully carried out.
We report the highly remarkable discovery that glucose oxidation catalysed by polyoxometalates in methanolic solution enables formation of formic acid and methyl formate in close to 100% combined selectivity, thus with only negligible sugar oxidation to CO2.
A promising way to increase the methanol yields in CO2 hydrogenation significantly up to 60% by in situ sorption of methanol and water in alkali salt-doped ionic liquids (ILs) is demonstrated.
To explore the connection between the architecture of poly(ether carbonate)s and certain physicochemical phenomena, the distribution of the length of oligomeric ether sequences was analyzed. Comparing experimental data with the expected distribution calculated with Monte Carlo methods revealed an unexpected preference for formation of oligomeric ether sequences of intermediate length. This surprisingly narrow distribution of sequence lengths is related to the DMC catalyst employed in the synthesis of the poly(ether carbonate)s.
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