Catalytic hydrogenation of biomass to polyols (such as 1,2-PDO and EG) is particularly noteworthy because of the versatile uses of them as important bulk chemicals directly or precursors in the synthesis of fuels and value-added compounds. Microalgae, a kind of aquatic plants with high efficiency in capturing light, were one of the fastest growing light-driven cell factories. However, the efficient conversion of microalgae to high value-added chemicals, such as alkanediols was rarely reported. Herein, a nickel-based catalyst, which was easily prepared via traditional co-precipitation method in our group, was used to directly convert microalgae (Chlorococcum sp.) into polyols. Meanwhile, the influences of reaction conditions were systematically investigated and the reaction pathway of microalgae conversion was proposed. In summary, an interesting catalytic process to directly one-pot convert aquatic microalgae into industrially attractive 1,2-PDO and EG with high yields in water over Ni-based catalyst was reported via combined steps involving hydrolysis, hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis reactions. Such as-synthesized catalyst exhibited excellent tolerance of N-contained components as well as a smaller particle size and well dispersion of Ni on supporter, and a 41.5% yield of polyols can be achieved directly from microalgae under optimal reaction conditions. Meanwhile, the reaction pathway for microalgae hydrogenation was proposed based on the formation of intermediate products and the results of model compounds conversion. Because of the green feedstock and free of organic solvent, such catalytic utilization of microalgae for polyols production should provide a potential route for the production of valuable chemicals from renewable biomass.

Efficiently direct hydrogenation of microalgae (<i>Chlorococcum sp.</i>) into 1,2-propanediol and ethylene glycol over Ni based catalyst in water

256th National Meeting (2018)

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Efficiently direct hydrogenation of microalgae (Chlorococcum sp.) into 1,2-propanediol and ethylene glycol over Ni based catalyst in water