Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Glucose to Sorbitol with Raney Ni Catalysts Using Biomass-Derived Diols as Hydrogen Donors

The catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of glucose to sorbitol has been studied using a wide collection different biomass-derived alcohols and diols as hydrogen donors. Catalytic activity results reflect the feasibility conduct this transformation in presence conventional, commercially available Raney Ni-type sponges catalysts. Sacrificial displayed superior performance donors compared short-chain alcohols, including secondary alcohols. Among them, terminal such 1,4-butanediol 1,5-pentanediol were revealed excellent donors, providing high selectivity conversion into sorbitol. As for catalysts, molybdenum promotion provided very sponge nickel even under mild temperature conditions. was also fixed-bed reactor continuous-flow operation Results demonstrate that catalysts are highly stable able operate at least 550 h on stream with CTH