The recent boom in light alkane production has driven a need to find alternative sources of large (&gt;C4) carbon-based feedstocks. Biomass is particularly attractive in this regard. In this work, we show that ethyl esters of mixed organic acids obtained by acidiogenic digestion of whole biomass can be coupled in the vapor phase over a Pd/CeZrOx catalyst. The reaction proceeds via a series of reactions beginning with direct ester ketonization followed by aldol condensation and mild hydrogenation. The products range from C10 to C25. We will present detailed characterization of the catalyst coupled with reaction kinetics studies that suggest the reaction proceeds over a combination of oxide and metal sites and involves a complex series of reactions.

Synthesis of biobased lubricants using Pd/CeZrOx catalysts

2019 Fall National Meeting

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