This talk will review recent work on the formation of new C-C bonds helpful in the transformation of furans (produced from biomass) into valuable commodity chemicals. We have developed and optimized microporous catalyst compositions to form aromatic species out of the furans via Diels-Alder reactions, Friedel-Craft acylations and the Prins condensation of alkenes with formaldehyde. These investigations highlight the benefits and differences of porous solid Bronsted acid catalysts to solid Lewis acid catalyst containing metals such as tin and zirconium on the surface. We will describe work towards producing benzoic acid and a-methylstyrene from furans in high selectivity and high yield, along with the elucidation of the reaction mechanisms of these reactions. We also used the methatesis reaction to transform sorbic acid into muconic acid and investigated its transformation into terephthalic acid. Current limitations in the selective formation of C-C bonds will be discussed including opportunities to expand this chemistry into other valuable molecules.

From biomass to chemicals: C-C bond formation using heterogeneous catalysts

2019 Spring National Meeting

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