Direct Transformation of Cellulose to Gluconic Acid in a Concentrated Iron(III) Chloride Solution under Mild Conditions

Abstract

A simple method for directly converting cellulose to gluconic acid in a concentrated iron­(III) chloride (FeCl3) solution without an additional catalyst was demonstrated. It was found that the conversion of cellulose to gluconic acid in FeCl3 is a two-step process, fast hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose followed by slow oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid. It was confirmed that high-concentration FeCl3 (60%) is required to efficiently dissolve and subsequently hydrolyze cellulose. The sequential combination of 60 and 40% FeCl3 in two steps was optimal for converting cellulose to gluconic acid, and 40% FeCl3 in the second step could minimize the oxidative decomposition of gluconic acid. The results indicated that the maximal gluconic acid yield (50%) was achieved after hydrolysis for 10 min in 60% FeCl3 followed by oxidation for 110 min in 40% FeCl3 at 120 °C. The system presented in this study provides a new approach to producing gluconic acid directly from cellulose.

Catalytic Transformation of Cellulose and Its Derivatives into Functionalized Organic Acids

“…It was proposed that concentrated FeCl 3 (60 wt %) was similar to molten salt hydrate and could interrupt the inter‐ and intra‐cellulose hydrogen bonds through associating with the hydroxyl groups in cellulose, thereby leading to the swelling and dissolution of cellulose. In the second step, diluted FeCl 3 (40 wt %) showed a milder oxidation ability than that of concentrated FeCl 3 (60 wt %), and therefore, could minimize the oxidative decomposition of GA …”

“…Recently, concentrated iron chlorides were reported to work as homogeneous catalysts for the transformation of cellulose into GA in two steps: the hydrolysis of cellulose to form glucose and the subsequent oxidation of glucose to form GA . A GA yield of 50 % was achieved after hydrolysis in 60 wt % FeCl 3 for 10 min, followed by oxidation in 40 wt % FeCl 3 at 393 K for 110 min.…”

Fabrication of immobilized nickel nanoclusters decorated by C N species for cellulose conversion to C2,3 oxygenated compounds: Rational design via typical C- and N-sources

“…Considering there are plentiful oxygen atoms in the structure of lignocellulose, it is promising to convert cellulosic biomass to oxygen-containing compounds. Among the various cellulose conversion methods, hydrogenolysis of cellulose is an efficient way to produce oxygenated compounds including organic acids, polyols, furans and ethanol [6][7][8][9][10][11] . Among them, ethylene glycol (EG) can be applied into food (e.g., additives, coating agents.…”

Development of Hierarchical Porous MOF‐Based Catalyst of UiO‐66(Hf) and Its Application for 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural Production from Cellulose

“…As the most abundant renewable resources, biomass energy can effectively address the ever‐increasing demand for energy . Compared to other biomass energy, cellulose reveals advantageous properties in terms of its widest distribution in nature and maximum reserves, as well as can be capable of selectively converting into a series of platform compounds and other products with high added value ,…”