Catalytic One-Pot Production of Small Organics from Polysaccharides

Abstract

The catalytic techniques that degrade polysaccharides such as cellulose and elaborate the resulting monomers into organic feedstocks in situ make up an old area of research that has been reignited of late. One-pot conversions of polysaccharides into small organic molecules under acidic, basic, oxidative, reductive and hydrothermal conditions have been reported, and a remarkable breadth of compounds have been produced. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), levulinic acid and polyols such as sorbitol have been obtained in particularly high yields, whereas serious selectivity struggles remain in reactions that produce organic acids such as lactic or glycolic acid. This review covers one-pot, catalytic transformations of polysaccharides into small organic molecules and focuses on mechanism, selectivity and optimization.

Production of Levulinic Acid and Furfural by Microwave-Assisted Hydrolysis from Model Compounds: Effect of Temperature, Acid Concentration and Reaction Time

“…These compounds are in turn are dehydrated to furfural and 5hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) respectively. HMF is an intermediate which immediately undergoes a ring opening reaction to form levulinic acid and formic acid in an aqueous medium [3,[15][16][17][18]. Furfural on the other hand, undergoes a polymerization reaction during which unwanted solid particles such as humins are formed.…”

Supramolecular Pd@methioine-EDTA-chitosan nanocomposite: an effective and recyclable bio-based and eco-friendly catalyst for the green Heck cross-coupling reaction under mild conditions

“…A further mass loss in the range of 450-650 °C (about 30 wt%) was noted that is related to a complete degradation of the chitosan backbone catalyzed by Pd(II) species. 127 The total decrease in the weight of the catalyst reached about 88%, which obviously proved the effect of the organic units graed onto the surface of the chitosan polymeric chains. The stability of the catalyst was up to about 270 °C, as can be seen in the differential TGA curve (b).…”

Recent developments in electrode materials for the selective upgrade of biomass-derived platform molecules into high-value-added chemicals and fuels

“…It can be easily obtained from cellulose through acid-catalyzed hydrolysis followed by dehydration or reductive conversion. 222 Over 500 000 tons of sorbitol are produced by the chemical reduction of glucose per year. The commercial production of sorbitol is 200 million pounds in one year.…”