Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand


Rationalizing the conversion of glucose and xylose catalyzed by a combination of Lewis and Bronsted acids

Full text
Author(s):
Vieira, Jose Lucas ; Almeida-Trapp, Marilia ; Mithoefer, Axel ; Plass, Winfried ; Gallo, Jean Marcel R.
Total Authors: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: CATALYSIS TODAY; v. 344, p. 10-pg., 2020-03-15.
Abstract

Recent studies have shown that niobium oxide promotes the conversion of glucose and xylose, respectively, to 5-hydroxymetylfufural (HMF) and furfural with moderate or poor selectivities. Herein, we show that niobium oxide acts differently in both reactions. For the conversion of glucose, Nb2O5 is an efficient Lewis acid catalyst and an inefficient Bronsted acid. Interestingly, it is more active in the epimerization to mannose than in the isomerization to fructose. It is shown that associating Nb2O5 with a Bronsted acid catalyst (such as HCl or Amberlyst (R)), the selectivity to HMF can reach up to 50%. Improving further this selectivity is challenging since Nb2O5 has high selectivity to mannose, which is converted to HMF with low selectivity (comparable to glucose). For the xylose conversion, niobium oxide behaves as an actual bifunctional Lewis/Bronted acid catalyst, being efficient in the isomerization/epimerization and in the dehydration. Hence, no additional Bronsted acid catalyst is required. Furfural selectivities of up to 46% are obtained, which is comparable to catalytic systems previously reported using mineral acids. Catalyst stability studies have shown that Nb2O5 has similar deactivation in water and organic solvent, furthermore, the stability can be improved further if niobium oxide is dispersed on a silica support. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 16/15777-9 - Synthesis of niobium phosphate and phosphated niobium oxide as bifunctional catalysts for the glucose conversion in 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
Grantee:José Lucas Vieira
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
FAPESP's process: 17/17042-9 - Catalytic study of the direct conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using niobium-based catalysts
Grantee:José Lucas Vieira
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
FAPESP's process: 16/02128-2 - Design of new catalytic systems for the biorefinery
Grantee:Jean Marcel Ribeiro Gallo
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants