Biomass Transformation to Value-added Chemicals and Fuels over Zeolite Catalysts

Abstract

Biomass transformation to value-added chemicals and fuels is an important topic facilitating a decrease of the use of fossil resources and promoting sustainability. The main emphasis of this work was to elucidate the effect of textural properties and acidity of zeolites and their mesoporous hierarchical counterparts in catalytic biomass transformation. Transformation of lignocellulosic material via pyrolysis and further deoxygenation to aromatics were summarized. In addition, synthesis of aromatics from biobased feedstock via the Diels–Alder condensation of furanic compounds with alcohols and alkenes as well as in the reaction between glycerol and alcohols over zeolite catalysts was discussed. The Prins cyclisation of bioderived molecules for production of pharmaceuticals is also an interesting example showing that reactivity can be correlated with the pore size of zeolites and kinetic diameter of the product. The prominent effect of zeolite pore sizes was also demonstrated in dehydration of cellulose and its monomeric sugars to value-added products, such as lactic and levulinic acids. For bifunctional catalysis using metal modified zeolites, like in upgrading by hydrodeoxygenation of bio-oil produced via pyrolysis of biomass, the property–performance relationship was emphasized, especially the pore size and acidity.