New routes for the catalytic valorisation of biomass-derived oxygenates

The sustainable production of valuable bulk chemicals from biomass as an alternative to petrochemicals is an important and pressing scientific challenge. New routes have to be found and new catalysts have to be developed to convert the renewable platform molecules that can be obtained from various biomass sources into existing ('drop-in' replacements) or new products. (Poly)saccharides, alcohols, polyols, glycerol in particular, fatty acids and lignin-derived phenols all offer many opportunities for valorization. We have been exploring different catalytic routes for the valorization of glycerol and other renewable oxygenates, including Pd-catalyzed telomerization and solid-acid catalyzed etherification for the production of cosmetics additives or non-ionic surfactants. Other routes, involving oligomerization and conversion to renewable monomers for the polymer industry are also under study in our laboratory. Alternatively, glycerol and other sugar alcohols can also be selectively converted to hydrogen via so-called aqueous phase reforming. Indeed, many of the routes proposed for the valorization of renewable platform molecules involve a hydrogenation step, for which the hydrogen should preferably be renewably produced. Here, we present our recent results on the catalytic conversion of glycerol and other oxygenates to valuable bulk chemicals and hydrogen. Emphasis will be on catalyst development, mechanistic insights, heterogenization of the catalyst and capability to cope with real feeds, such as crude glycerol.