Electrification of the upgrading of biomass-derived species enables the utilization of renewable electricity and eliminates the need for externally-supplied hydrogen gas, both of which reduce the CO<sub>2</sub> footprint of the process. Additionally, electrochemical processes are amenable to the distributed manufacturing model likely to be used for the processing of biomass-derived chemicals in the future. Furanics, including fufural and HMF, are a valuable component of the biomass-derived chemical streams and can be valorized through electrochemical hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis to chemical intermediates and fuel alternatives. Both electrochemical hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis can be performed on copper in acidic electrolytes. As the pH becomes less acidic (&gt;3.4), the hydrogenolysis of furfural pathway is eliminated. If hydrogenolysis is desired and low pHs are used, homogeneous side reactions between the furanics and the acidic electrolyte have to be balanced. An evaluation of the kinetics and reaction mechanisms on copper in acidic electrolytes will be discussed. Methods for minimizing acid-promoted side reactions will also be discussed.

Electroreduction of furanics on copper in acidic electrolytes for production of fuels and chemicals

ACS Fall 2021

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