Joule
ArticleIntegrated Conversion of Cellulose to High-Density Aviation Fuel
Context & Scale
The production of renewable aviation fuels with lignocellulose has drawn tremendous attention in recent years. So far, most of the reported processes were concentrated on the synthesis of conventional jet fuel with lignocellulosic platform compounds. Polycycloalkanes are major components of advanced aviation fuels. Herein, we report a highly integrated route for the synthesis of branched polycycloalkanes with cellulose, the most abundant polymer in biomass. Tuning the reaction conditions also permits the selective production of methyl cyclopentane, which can be used as high-octane-number gasoline additive. Compared with the reported processes, this new process has many advantages, such as cheaper feedstock, mild reaction conditions, fewer steps, higher density, lower freezing point of final products, etc. This work provides a new strategy for the manufacture of advanced aviation fuels with cellulose.