Bi-Functional magnesium silicate catalyzed glucose and furfural transformations to renewable chemicals

Abstract

Bio-refinery is attracting significant interest to produce a wide range of renewable chemicals and fuels from biomass that are alternative to fossil fuel derived petrochemicals. Similar to petrochemical industries, bio-refinery also depends on solid zeolite catalysts. Acid-base catalysis plays pivotal role in producing a wide range of chemicals from biomass. Herein, the Mg framework substituted MTW zeolite is synthesized and explored in the valorisation of glucose and furfural. Bi-functional (acidic and basic) characteristics are confirmed using pyridine adsorbed FT IR analysis and NH3 and CO2 temperatureprogrammed desorption techniques. Textural properties and morphological information are retrieved from N2-sorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. The activity of the catalyst is demonstrated in the selective isomerisation of glucose to fructose in ethanol. Glucose is converted to methyl lactate in high yield using the same catalyst. Further, the bi-functional activity of this catalyst is demonstrated in the production of fuel precursor by the reaction of furfural and isopropanol. Mg MTW zeolite exhibits excellent activity in the production of all these chemicals and fuel derivative. The catalyst exhibits no significant loss in the activity even after five recycles. One simple catalyst affording three renewable synthetic intermediates from glucose and furfural will attract significant attention to catalysis researchers and industrialist