The isomerization of glucose to fructose is an important step in the conversion of cellulosic biomass to useful chemicals. The reaction catalyzed by NaX was studied using solid-state NMR to observe the evolution of adsorbed glucose in situ at temperatures from 100-140 °C. In GVL:water solvent mixtures, the solvent composition affects the amount of glucose taken up by the zeolite as well as the tautomer ratio. The isomerization of the adsorbed glucose is pseudo-first-order with a lower activation energy than that measured in a flow reactor under comparable conditions, presumably because pre-adsorption of glucose eliminates the need to displace adsorbed solvent and/or fructose. Isotopic labeling studies suggest that the role of NaX is that of a base catalyst. Thus the method allows direct, time-resolved observation of reactive species in porous materials and in particular adsorbed molecules undergoing reaction.

<i>In situ</i> NMR measurements shed light on the kinetics and mechanism of glucose isomerization in NaX zeolite

251st National Meeting (2016)

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In situ NMR measurements shed light on the kinetics and mechanism of glucose isomerization in NaX zeolite