Converting carbohydrates to bulk chemicals and fine chemicals over heterogeneous catalysts

Abstract

In this Critical Review, we discuss how carbohydrates can be transformed into a variety of chemicals through heterogeneous catalysis. We focus particularly on oxidation, reduction and dehydration of hexoses, as well as one-pot reactions of di-and polysaccharides. Most of the reactions involve heterogeneous catalysts, although some interesting homogeneously catalyzed processes are also included.

Conversion of biomass platform molecules into fuel additives and liquid hydrocarbon fuels

“…Dehydration of sugars to obtain furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural using homogeneous and heterogeneous acid catalysts has been extensively reviewed. [89][90][91] Furfural and HMF are not attractive fuel components because of its melting point and stability however they can be used as starting material to produce a variety of high value added furan derivatives, 1,[92][93][94][95][96] as well as to produce liquid alkanes and fuel additives. In this section we will discuss different strategies to convert furan platform molecules into hydrocarbon liquid fuels and fuel additives.…”

Metalloenzyme-like catalyzed isomerizations of sugars by Lewis acid zeolites

“…We have recently focused on the isomerizations of sugars, and in particular, the isomerization of glucose to fructose (Scheme 1) (1-3), as a key reaction that could be incorporated into a large number of pathways to convert biomass into useful products (4,5). For example, oligomeric carbohydrates can be depolymerized into glucose monomers that can then be converted to the chemical platform molecule 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (4,5), via the fructose intermediate (3). Analogously, xylose has been converted to furfural via the xylulose intermediate (6).…”

Conversion of Carbohydrates into Platform Chemicals Catalyzed by Alkaline Ionic Liquids

“…This chemical is highly reactive and thus can be used as a starting material for a number of products. Studies show that fructose, as ketose, can more easily be dehydrated to 5-HMF than glucose [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. However, fructose is an expensive starting material for 5-HMF production compared to glucose.…”