We investigated a direct catalytic conversion of woody biomass to valuable chemicals, which will open new possibility for the use of lignocellulosic biomass.  We have succeeded in direct conversion of cellulose and hemicellulose in wood chips to C6 (sorbitol and mannitol) and C5 (xylitol and arabitol) sugar alcohols by supported platinum catalysts in water without any acid catalysts.  Without a delignification pretreatment by inorganic acid, the cellulose and hemicellulose in the wood chips were mostly converted into valuable sugar alcohols and pure lignin could be obtained as solid after the reaction.  The cellulose and hemicellulose in the wood chips were converted with 94% conversion and 62% yield of sugar alcohols and the lignin remained as solid after the reaction.  Isosorbide and isomannide, biomass-based diols with rigid structures from sorbitol and mannitol dehydration, are used as additives for polymers and can dramatically improve the thermal stability of the polymers, opening possible applications as alternatives of petroleum-based monomers; however, syntheses of isosorbide and isomannide from sorbitol and mannitol are generally done with strong acids, which cause a serious corrosion and require neutralization processes.  We reported that isosorbide could be produced from sorbitol dehydration in high-temperature liquid water without adding any acid catalysts, which can enhance the prospect for a biomass-based monomer.  Intramolecular dehydration of mannitol and sorbitol in high-temperature liquid water without adding any hazardous acid catalysts and their kinetic analyses were carried out.  We have succeeded in conversion of wood chips to sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol and mannitol, and their dehydration to isosorbide and isomannide in high-temperature liquid water without adding any acid catalysts.

Production of valuable chemicals from wood chips in high-temperature liquid water

248th National Meeting (2014)

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