ABSTRACT: High yields of liquid hydrocarbons directly from cellulosic feedstock are reported in a one-pot biphasic catalytic system. The catalytic reaction proceeds at elevated temperatures under hydrogen pressure in presence of a soluble acid, dissolved in the water phase and primarily responsible for cellulose hydrolysis, and a modified Ru/C, suspended in the organic phase and in control of the catalytic hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) activity. Under optimal conditions, cellulose is converted to more than 80% of liquid alkanes, like n-hexane, n-pentane, methylcyclopentane and cychohexane in a few hours. The catalytic route preferably proceeds via intermediate HMF to realize the liquid alkanes, while the a route via sorbitol is less likely and less efficient. Essential elements to obtain high liquid alkane yields are i) controlled release of glucose from cellulose, ii) biphasic reaction circumstance with partition of different catalytic reactions and, iii) proper modification of the commercial Ru/C. The catalytic system is also capable of converting holocellulosics in wood chips and subsequent batches of fresh cellulose were converted, enabling accumulation of liquid alkanes in the organic phase during subsequent runs.

Direct catalytic conversion of cellulose to a liquid mixture of paraffins and naphthenes

248th National Meeting (2014)

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