Catalytic Total Hydrodeoxygenation of Biomass‐Derived Polyfunctionalized Substrates to Alkanes

Abstract

The total hydrodeoxygenation of carbohydrate‐derived molecules to alkanes, a key reaction in the production of biofuel, was reviewed from the aspect of catalysis. Noble metals (or Ni) and acid are the main components of the catalysts, and group 6 or 7 metals such as Re are sometimes added as modifiers of the noble metal. The main reaction route is acid‐catalyzed dehydration plus metal‐catalyzed hydrogenation, and in some systems metal‐catalyzed direct CO dissociation is involved. The appropriate active metal, acid strength, and reaction conditions depend strongly on the reactivity of the substrate. Reactions that use Pt or Pd catalysts supported on Nb‐based acids or relatively weak acids are suitable for furanic substrates. Carbohydrates themselves and sugar alcohols undergo CC dissociation easily. The systems that use metal‐catalyzed direct CO dissociations can give a higher yield of the corresponding alkane from carbohydrates and sugar alcohols.