Sugars derived from biomass possess a high degree of functionality and offer promise as a potential feedstock for production of commodity chemicals. Erythrose is a C4 sugar with similar functionality to glucose which makes it an attractive model feedstock to study. Heterogeneous catalysts, such as metal oxides, have been shown to convert a wide range of chemicals into fine products due to the presence of acid sites. This work analyzes the interactions of erythrose with a variety of metal oxides that possess varying degrees of acidity. Specifically, the role of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites along with basicity are used to rationalize the findings. MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to determine surface species present when the catalysts were impregnated with the erythrose at room temperature. Since erythrose exists as a cyclic hemiacetal in solution, the ring opening step is desired as a first step before most other reactions. Nb2O5 was shown to promote this reaction as evidenced by the appearance of several peaks in the carbonyl region of the spectrum. Tautomerization to enols was also observed due to presence of olefinic carbons. γ-Al2O3 showed little activity for erythrose ring opening. This indicates the water tolerant Lewis acid sites of Nb2O5 are needed to catalyze ring opening at room temperature. γ-Al2O3 had chemisorbed erythrose on the surface suggesting it can adsorb some erythrose. Silicon dioxide was used as a control to observe how erythrose binds to a surface without significant acid or based sites, and only physisorbed species were formed. Other metal oxides such as cerium, tin, titanium and zirconium dioxides were tested to determine the role of basicity during adsorption. These different oxides also shed light on the role of electronegativity and ionic radius. In-situ infrared spectroscopy was used to further determine/validate surface species present.

Understanding the role of solid acid sites in the adsorption of a model sugar

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.