Advances in the Catalytic Production and Utilization of Sorbitol

Abstract

Recently, research on the production and transformation of sorbitol has become exciting in chemical industry and in catalysis studies for its broad applications. It opens up a new path for achieving sustainable energy supply and chemicals production. Here we mainly review the catalytic routes for the synthesis of sorbitol and conversion of sorbitol into high value-added compounds such as lower alcohols, paraffins, isosorbide, and other derivatives. Meanwhile, some promising and valuable research directions are suggested based on the major challenges emerged in current research, such as the development of efficient magnetic catalysts, microwave heating, and other hydrogen sources.

Mechanism and Kinetic Analysis of the Hydrogenolysis of Cellulose to Polyols

“…Sugar alcohols, mainly referring to sorbitol and mannitol, are high-value commodity chemicals widely used in drugs, food, and cosmetics [30]. Cellulose is composed of C 6 glucan units and it should certainly be possible to use it for the production of sugar alcohols through a direct hydrolytic hydrogenation process.…”

Synthesis of isosorbide from sorbitol in water over high-silica aluminosilicate zeolites

“…These results indicates that 7 the poor activities of high-aluminum zeolites was not due to the quick deactivation but to an 8 intrinsic character. 9 One of the reasons for the importance of high-silica composition can be attributed to 10 hydrophobicity of a catalyst surface [68]. and high pressure and then the interaction between the zeolite and the water molecules becomes 24 stronger.…”

Preparation of sorbitol‐based polyurethanes and their semiinterpenetrating polymer networks

“…For example, in food industry, it is known as a sugar substitute, about 60% as sweet as sucrose, but providing only 2.6 kcal g −1 versus the average 4 kcal (17 kJ) for carbohydrates. It is also an important platform molecule, from which a variety of different industrial chemicals can be made …”

“…It is also an important platform molecule, from which a variety of different industrial chemicals can be made. 18,19 An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) comprises two or more networks that are at least partially interlaced on a molecular scale but not covalently bonded to each other and cannot be separated unless chemical bonds are broken. 20 It is referred to as semi-IPN or full IPN, depending on whether one or both of the respective components are crosslinked.…”