Recent Advances in the Catalytic Production of Platform Chemicals from Holocellulosic Biomass

Abstract

This Review discusses novel catalytic pathways of lignocellulosic biomass to value‐added chemicals including biomass‐derived sugar alcohols, organic acids, furans and biohydrocarbons. These production approaches are undertaken by biological, chemical and thermochemical transformations or a combination of them. Nevertheless, the majority of research in this area is focused on the design of heterogeneous catalysts to convert value‐added products from holocellulosic biomass. Biorefineries represent the peak of biomass processes in order to produce valuable chemicals and liquid fuels avoiding the utilization of corroding and toxic elements. The aim of the present Review is to offer the readers a broad overview of recent holocellulosic‐based chemical and fuels production technologies via heterogeneous catalysis. There is also an overview of the economic aspects to efficiently produce these platform chemicals at industrial scale. To summarize this Review, an outlook and conclusions of the reported processes to date is provided.

Furfural production from xylose and birch hydrolysate liquor in a biphasic system and techno-economic analysis

“…This ongoing trend can give a new potential to existing forest companies to also develop as significant bio-based chemical and biofuel producers, in addition to cellulose-based products. This position urges to transform their mass production of paper-grade pulp en route to other products with smaller production quantity but larger gross margin, such as methane gas from wastewater [4]; bio-oil from lignin [5]; and value-added chemicals like furfural (FUR), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and acetic acid from hydrolysate liquor from dissolving pulp [6]. An attractive sugar contained in high amounts, xylose, has not yet been fully utilized in the paper and pulp industry, which is mixed with lignin-derived compounds and burned to provide process heat [7].…”

Towards the Green Synthesis of Furfuryl Alcohol in A One-Pot System from Xylose: A Review

“…A recent review has reported advances in the catalytic production of attractive molecules from lignocellulosic biomass, which includes promising furanic compounds [5]. Moreover, readers may encounter other interesting reviews that cover the field of FUR-upgrading in a broader perspective [55,56].…”

“…This current tendency can bring new markets to current forest firms to further expand their product portfolios with biobased chemicals and biofuels, as an extension to their cellulose-based products, such as paper and packaging materials. This situation forces the shift of their bulk production of paper-grade pulp on the way to other products with lower production volumes but higher profit, such as bio-oil from lignin [3], and value-added chemicals like xylitol [4], furfural (FUR), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and acetic acid from hydrolysate liquor from the dissolving pulp production [5,6].…”

Transfer Hydrogenation of Levulinic Acid to γ‐Valerolactone and Pyrrolidones Using a Homogeneous Nickel Catalyst

“…FA is also a biomass product obtained from lignocellulose; both FA and LVA are produced in equal proportions from hemicellulose acid catalysis [1b,6] . FA is an ideal hydrogen donor in LVA reduction.…”