Biomass Catalytic Valorization: bio-fuel C15 molecules synthesis by hydrodeoxygenation and condensation reactions of furfural

MARÍA SOLEDAD ZANUTTINI; CLAUDIA NEYERTZ; LUCAS TONUTTI; CRISTIÁN FERRETTI; CARLOS QUERINI

Santa Fe

Workshop; French-Argentinean Workshop on Heterogeneous Catalysis; 2023

INCAPE

Due to its abundance and varied chemical composition, lignocellulosic biomass represents an attractive resource for bio-fuel and fine compounds. Among products, the furfural (F) obtained by different biomass treatments and its product, the 2-methylfuran (2-MF), are promising compounds for the synthesis of molecules compatible with diesel fuel, like C12-C15. Our group studies the F transformation to 2-MF by catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) and the subsequent C-C coupling reaction between both compounds, performed by hydroxyalkylation/alkylation (HAA). We have focused on the selective HDO reaction of furfural in the gas phase at atmospheric pressure with H2 using Fe-Pt over commercial and synthetized mesoporous amorphous silica with slightly Brønsted acidic properties. On the other hand, the coupling HAA reaction has been studied over mesoporous SBA-15 with propyl sulfonic acid groups. In both reactions, the support has a great influence, due to its porosity and the acid nature of the sites, since they affect the selectivity and stability of the catalyst. In consequence, the structural and acid properties were tuned by adjusting syntheses conditions of the SiO2. In similar way, the amount of propyl sulfonic groups and the hydrophobicity of the catalyst were modified for SBA-15 samples in order to optimize the production of the C15 biofuel. according to the results, Furfural deoxygenation to 2-MF is feasible over Fe-Pt/SiO2 with high selectivity. The balance between metallic and weak acid sites is critical to regulate the selectivity and coke formation. SBA15 silica with sulfonic groups is highly active for C-C coupling of 2-MF with F by hydroxyalkylation/alkylation at low temperature without solvent and under mild conditions. The C15 selectivity was greater than 95%. A synthesis modification by incorporation hydrophobic groups improves C15 yields. These results with silicas open up opportunities to further catalytic research.