Role of group V elements on the hydrogenation activity of Ni/TiO2 catalyst for the vapour phase conversion of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone

Continuous Flow Upgrading of Selected C2-C6 Platform Chemicals Derived from Biomass

The ever increasing industrial production of commodity and specialty chemicals inexorably depletes the finite primary fossil resources available on Earth. The forecast of population growth over the next 3 decades is a very strong incentive for the identification of alternative primary resources other than petro-based ones. In contrast with fossil resources, renewable biomass is a virtually inexhaustible reservoir of chemical building blocks. Shifting the current industrial paradigm from almost exclusively petro-based resources to alternative bio-based raw materials requires more than vibrant political messages; it requires a profound revision of the concepts and technologies on which industrial chemical processes rely. Only a small fraction of molecules extracted from biomass bears significant chemical and commercial potentials to be considered as ubiquitous chemical platforms upon which a new, bio-based industry can thrive. Owing to its inherent assets in terms of unique process experience, scalability, and reduced environmental footprint, flow chemistry arguably has a major role to play in this context. This review covers a selection of C₂ to C₆ bio-based chemical platforms with existing commercial markets including polyols (ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, glycerol, 1,4-butanediol, xylitol, and sorbitol), furanoids (furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural) and carboxylic acids (lactic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, itaconic acid, and levulinic acid). The aim of this review is to illustrate the various aspects of upgrading bio-based platform molecules toward commodity or specialty chemicals using new process concepts that fall under the umbrella of continuous flow technology and that could change the future perspectives of biorefineries.

Ni Supported on Natural Clays as a Catalyst for the Transformation of Levulinic Acid into γ-Valerolactone without the Addition of Molecular Hydrogen

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is a valuable chemical that can be used as a clean additive for automotive fuels. This compound can be produced from biomass-derived compounds. Levulinic acid (LA) is a compound that can be obtained easily from biomass and it can be transformed into GVL by dehydration and hydrogenation using metallic catalysts. In this work, catalysts of Ni (a non-noble metal) supported on a series of natural and low-cost clay-materials have been tested in the transformation of LA into GVL. Catalysts were prepared by a modified wet impregnation method using oxalic acid trying to facilitate a suitable metal dispersion. The supports employed are attapulgite and two sepiolites with different surface areas. Reaction tests have been undertaken using an aqueous medium at moderate reaction temperatures of 120 and 180 °C. Three types of experiments were undertaken: (i) without H2 source, (ii) using formic acid (FA) as hydrogen source and (iii) using Zn in order to transform water in hydrogen through the reaction Zn + H2O → ZnO + H2. The best results have been obtained combining Zn (which plays a double role as a reactant for hydrogen formation and as a catalyst) and Ni/attapulgite. Yields to GVL higher than 98% have been obtained at 180 °C in the best cases. The best catalytic performance has been related to the presence of tiny Ni particles as nickel crystallites larger than 4 nm were not present in the most efficient catalysts.

Selective hydroconversion of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran over silica-supported cobalt catalysts

Levulinic acid can be hydrodeoxygenated either to γ-valerolactone or to 2-methyltetrahydrofuran over the Co/SiO₂ catalyst. Selectivity was controlled by the hydrogenation activity of the catalyst.