Selective catalytic hydrogenation of cellulose into sorbitol with Ru-based catalysts

Heterophase-structured nanocrystals as superior supports for Ru-based catalysts in selective hydrogenation of benzene

ZrO2 heterophase structure nanocrystals (HSNCs) were synthesized with tunable ratios of monoclinic ZrO2 (m-ZrO2) to tetragonal ZrO2 (t-ZrO2). The phase mole ratio of m-ZrO2 versus t-ZrO2 in ZrO2 HSNCs was tuned from 40% to 100%. The concentration of the surface hydroxyl groups on m-ZrO2 is higher than that on t-ZrO2. ZrO2 HSNCs have different surface hydroxyl groups on two crystalline phases. T...

Comparative study of different catalysts for the direct conversion of cellulose to sorbitol

The catalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to obtain high added value compounds and fuels is a rapidly developing field. Given the abundance of this renewable raw material and its reduced impact on the food chain, it is an attractive source for obtaining chemicals or fuels in the context of a sustainable economy. In this work, bi-functional catalysts were developed that were capable of...

Selective Hydrogenation With Copper Catalysts: II. Kinetics

To explain the unusually high selectivity of copper catalysts toward linolenate, model compounds were hydrogenated (150 C and atmospheric pressure) and the reaction products analyzed. Products varied depending upon location of the double bonds. Monoenes were not reduced by copper chromite except when the double bond was next to a carboxyl group. Dienes with isolated double bonds also were not r...

Asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation. Design of new Ru catalysts and chiral ligands: from laboratory to industrial applications.

This Account covers the design of Ru catalysts and ligands. Two classes of chiral phosphine ligands are prepared: the electron-rich trans-2,4-substituted phosphetanes, readily available from optically pure 1,3-diol cyclic sulfates, and atropoisomeric ligands (SYNPHOS, MeO-NAPhePHOS, bearing heterotopic biaryl moieties, and a chiral water-soluble diguanidinium binaphthyl diphosphine, Digm-BINAP)...

Direct conversion of cellulose into sorbitol using dual-functionalized catalysts in neutral aqueous solution