A renewable process to p-xylene from biomass-derived sugars provides a new method for sustainable production of plastics including PET [1].  As part of the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation (CCEI), we demonstrate a three-step process: (1) conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, (2) hydrodeoxygenation to dimethylfuran, and (3) cycloaddition of dimethylfuran to p-xylene.  This route opens the possibility for using sugars produced from the saccharification of biopolymers such as cellulose [2] as carbon sources for the production of polymers.  Initial dehydration of fructose produces the oxygenated furan, which is subsequently reduced to dimethylfuran.  The following reaction to produce p-xylene occurs within a single reactor as a two-step reaction (Diels-Alder cycloaddition followed by dehydration).  This reaction occurs through an oxygenated bicyclic intermediate, which can lead to the desired product of p-xylene or to undesirable side products [3,4].  Additionally, dehydration of the bicyclic intermediate produces water that can hydrolyze dimethylfuran.  Through insight into the role catalyst structure and active site, we have designed a catalytic system capable of achieving greater than 90% yield of p-xylene. In the report, we will discuss the mechanisms p-xylene production and predictive models for the selection of catalysts. References: [1] Climent, M. J.; Corma, A.; Iborra, S. Green Chemistry 2011 , 13, 520-540[2] Vlachos, D. G.; Chen, J. G.; Gorte, R. J.; Huber, G. W.; Tsapatsis, M. Catalysis Letters 2010 , 140, 77-84.[3] Williams, C. L.; Chang, C.-chih; Do, P.; Nikbin, N.; Caratzoulas, S.; Vlachos, D. G.; Lobo, R. F.; Fan, W.; Dauenhauer, P. J. ACS Catalysis 2012 , 2, 935-939[4] N. Nikbin, P.T. Do, S. Caratzoulas, R.F. Lobo, P.J. Dauenhauer, D.G. Vlachos, Journal of Catalysis 2012, 297, 35-43.

Renewable catalytic process for the production of p-xylene

246th National Meeting (2013)

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