Recent Developments in the Catalytic Conversion of Cellulose into Valuable Chemicals

Sorbitol Hydrogenolysis Over Ni, Pt and Ru Supported on NaY

“…The commercially important large volume hydroxyl compounds are the widely used methanol and ethanol, and the more expensive ethylene and propylene glycols. Therefore, one can envision the transformation of cellulose into the intermediate platform chemical sorbitol, and then its subsequent transformation into the smaller hydroxyl compounds, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol [1][2][3][4][5][6] that are widely used as monomers in the synthesis of polyester fibers and resins, and as functional fluids such as antifreezes and coolants. Industrial production of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol is currently based on multi-step transformation of petroleum-derived ethylene and propylene via their epoxide intermediates.…”

Cellulose hydrogenolysis with the use of the catalysts supported on hypercrosslinked polystyrene

“…It has been estimated that 10 11 -10 12 tons of cellulose are synthesized in nature annually. It is mostly combined with hemicelluloses and lignin in the plant cell walls [1]. Cellulose is considered a likely alternative to fossil fuels as its renewable resources can provide the production of raw materials for the chemical industry and second-generation biofuels on a large scale [2 -4].…”

“…In this case the efficiency of the catalyst is of primary importance. Ru-containing catalysts are known to be the most active in the glucose hydrogenation to sorbitol [1,7,10,13,14]. However the question of a suitable carrier of the active phase is under discussion.…”

Advances in selective catalytic transformation of ployols to value-added chemicals

“…It is not only an energy carrier but also a renewable organic carbon source. The use of biomass as feedstocks for the production of fuels and chemicals is necessary for a sustainable chemistry industry [13].…”