Issue 5, 2014

Homogeneous catalysis for the conversion of biomass and biomass-derived platform chemicals

Abstract

The transition from a petroleum-based infrastructure to an industry which utilises renewable resources is one of the key research challenges of the coming years. Biomass, consisting of inedible plant material that does not compete with our food production, is a suitable renewable feedstock. In recent years, much research has been focused on developing new chemical strategies for the valorisation of different biomass components. In addition to the many heterogeneous and enzymatic approaches, homogenous catalysis has emerged as an important tool for the highly selective transformation of biomass, or biomass derived platform chemicals. This Perspective provides an overview of the most important recent developments in homogeneous catalysis towards the production and transformation of biomass and biomass related model compounds. The chemical valorisation of the main components of lignocellulosic biomass – lignin and (hemi)cellulose is reviewed. In addition, important new catalyst systems for the conversion of triglycerides and fatty acids are presented.

Graphical abstract: Homogeneous catalysis for the conversion of biomass and biomass-derived platform chemicals

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
15 Dec 2013
Accepted
22 Jan 2014
First published
23 Jan 2014
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Catal. Sci. Technol., 2014,4, 1174-1196

Author version available

Homogeneous catalysis for the conversion of biomass and biomass-derived platform chemicals

P. J. Deuss, K. Barta and J. G. de Vries, Catal. Sci. Technol., 2014, 4, 1174 DOI: 10.1039/C3CY01058A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements