Diels–Alder cycloaddition of 2-methylfuran and ethylene for renewable toluene

Production of renewable toluene from biomass-derived furans via Diels-Alder and dehydration reactions: A comparative study of Lewis acid catalysts

“…In contrast, with regard to toluene production from MF, only limited work has been done, mainly using solid Brønsted acid catalysts. Moreover, the highest toluene yields reported with an H-Beta zeolite are still very low (<46%), rendering much room for improvement of the process of toluene production [6,7].…”

“…BTX aromatics are particularly utilized as precursors in the production of polystyrene, polyurethane, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), for whose demand has increased globally [5]. Recently, a thermochemical route to produce renewable BTX aromatics from biomass-derived furans (i.e., 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), 2-methylfuran (MF), furan) and ethylene via Diels-Alder cycloaddition and subsequent dehydration reactions, has been proposed using solid Brønsted and Lewis acid catalysts [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Because ethylene can also easily be obtained by the dehydration of bio-ethanol [18], this route can be considered as a fully sustainable process for the production of BTX chemicals.…”

The Chemical Conversion of Biomass-Derived Saccharides: an Overview

“…Aromatics are highly important intermediates in the chemical industry, and classically obtained in refineries as the so called BTX (benzene, toluene and xylenes). Although the research on Diel-Alder of furans for the production of aromatics has been intensified in the last few years, [57][58][59][60][61][62] this chemical route is too expensive and energy demanding to become commercial. As it regards the production of aromatics, lignin is the most promising feedstock.…”

The alkylation reaction of benzene with methanol to produce toluene: Y-C and Y-CCs catalyst

“…Toluene is viewed as a bridge for synthesis of important chemical products, namely important chemical intermediates, such as fuels, solvents, polyurethane products, medicine, dyestuff, explosives, agricultural chemicals and other pillar industries (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). So the high yield of toluene, especially the preparation of a special catalyst for toluene, is urgently needed.…”