Chemical Conversions of Biomass‐Derived Platform Chemicals over Copper–Silica Nanocomposite Catalysts. Issue 14 (20th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Upare, Pravin P.; Hwang, Young Kyu; Lee, Jong‐Min; Hwang, Dong Won; Chang, Jong‐San
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 8:Issue 14(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 2345
• Page End: 2357
• Publication Date: 2015-07-20
• Subjects: Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201500091
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Biomass and biomass‐derived carbohydrates have a high extent of functionality, unlike petroleum, which has limited functionality. In biorefinery applications, the development of methods to control the extent of functionality in final products intended for use as fuels and chemicals is a challenge. In the chemical industry, heterogeneous catalysis is an important tool for the defunctionalization of functionalized feedstocks and biomass‐derived platform chemicals to produce value‐added chemicals. Herein, we review the recent progress in this field, mainly of vapor phase chemical conversion of biomass‐derived C₄–C₆ carboxylic acids and esters using copper–silica nanocomposite catalysts. We also demonstrate that these nanocomposite catalysts very efficiently convert biomass‐derived platform chemicals into cyclic compounds, such as lactones and hydrofurans, with high selectivities and yields.</p> </abstract>