The replacement of fossil resources that currently provide more than 90% of our energy needs and feedstocks of the chemical industry in combination with reduced emission of carbon dioxide is one of the most pressing challenges of mankind. Biomass as a globally available resource has been proposed as an alternative feedstock for production of basic building blocks, which could partially or even fully replace the currently utilized fossil-based ones in well-established chemical processes. The destruction of lignocellulosic feed followed by oxygen removal from its cellulose and hemicellulose content by catalytic processes results in the formation of initial platform chemicals (IPCs). However, their sustainable production strongly depends on the availability of resources, their efficient or even industrially viable conversion processes, and replenishment time of feedstocks. Herein, we overview recent advances and developments in catalytic transformations of the carbohydrate content of lignocellulosic biomass ...

Catalytic Conversion of Carbohydrates to Initial Platform Chemicals: Chemistry and Sustainability

This article reviews the recent advances in the development of zeolite catalysts for biomass valorization processes to produce both biofuels and/or bio-based chemicals, which is an emerging and fast expanding field. The work deals with different types of feedstocks, including vegetable oils, lignocellulose and sugars, as well as with a number of relevant intermediates and platform molecules. Transformation of biomass into valuable products is hindered by a number of factors, mainly related to its complex composition, as biomass typically consists of bulky molecules with high oxygen content. Accordingly, biomass processing usually requires the combination of multiple steps and severe conditions, hence concepts like atom efficiency, product selectivity, and catalyst deactivation become of special relevance. A great progress has been achieved in the past years engineering the properties of zeolites for being adapted to the challenges associated to biomass valorization. The possibility of tailoring th...

Progress in the design of zeolite catalysts for biomass conversion into biofuels and bio-based chemicals

Utilizing biomass in biorefineries is a favorable sustainable method to produce platform chemicals, materials and energy. Conversions of lignocellulosic biomass to chemicals have greatly attracted attention recently due to its abundance in nature and high availability at low costs. The potential of lignocellulosic biomass lies in its ability to be transformed to clean energy, biochemical and industrial products. Furfural has been identified as a valuable platform chemical that can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass. Furfural could also be regarded as sustainable alternatives to petrochemical products. Currently, more than 80 furfural-derived chemicals are used in various industries. The main aim of this review was to discuss various solvent systems that emerged for furfural production from lignocellulosic biomass. Conventionally, furfural is produced by reactions in aqueous systems employing H2SO4 as the catalyst. In an effort to improve furfural production, various solvent systems started to emerge, namely organic solvent system, biphasic system, ionic liquid system, and deep eutectic solvent system. Advantages and limitations of each solvent system were discussed herein. In this review, the background of furfural and its reaction pathways were also discussed. Moreover, opportunities, challenges and limitations to advance furfural production in biorefineries were addressed in this review as well.

A review on solvent systems for furfural production from lignocellulosic biomass

As a natural renewable resource, the catalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass is considered to be an important strategy to alleviate the tremendous dependence on fossil resources. The synthesis of γ-valerolactone (GVL), which is hailed as a new-generation of biomass-based platform molecule, is one of the pivotal steps in the transformation of biomass resources into liquid fuels and high-value chemicals. The catalytic routes for the synthesis of GVL from lignocellulosic feedstocks have been continuously enriched and improved in recent years. Herein, our principal focus is the reaction mechanisms and catalytic systems of GVL from various biomass-derived feedstocks. The specific reaction routes and catalytic performances of GVL synthesis based on the traditional basic raw materials such as levulinic acid (LA) and alkyl levulinates (AL) were discussed and compared, and one-pot processes with cascade steps of cellulosic and hemicellulosic derivatives such as furfural (Fur), furfuryl alcohol (FAL) as well as cellulosic carbohydrates into GVL were also summarized and analyzed in detail. A more intuitive and comprehensive retrospection of the up-to-date literatures on GVL synthesis through multiple pathways was presented, and practical suggestions on improving the cost, stability and efficiency of the overall catalytic systems were also proposed.

Xiaochang Wang

Papers

Furfural production from biomass–derived carbohydrates and lignocellulosic residues via heterogeneous acid catalysts