Issue 2, 2014

Control of selectivity, activity and durability of simple supported nickel catalysts for hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose

Abstract

Efficient conversion of cellulose to sorbitol and mannitol by base metal catalysts is a challenge in green and sustainable chemistry, but typical supported base metal catalysts have not given good yields of hexitols or possessed durability. In this study, it has been demonstrated that a simple carbon-supported Ni catalyst affords up to 67% yield of hexitols in the conversion of cellulose, and that the catalyst is durable in the reuse experiments 7 times. In addition, the catalyst can be separated by a magnet thanks to a high content of Ni. Physicochemical analysis has indicated that the use of carbon supports has two benefits: no basicity and high water-tolerance. CeO2, ZrO2, γ-Al2O3 and TiO2 cause side-reactions due to basicity, and SiO2, γ-Al2O3 and CeO2 are less stable in hot water. Another important factor is high Ni loading as the increase of Ni content from 10 wt% to 70 wt% significantly improves the yield of hexitols and the durability of catalysts. Larger crystalline Ni particles are more resistant to sintering of Ni and surface coverage by Ni oxide species.

Graphical abstract: Control of selectivity, activity and durability of simple supported nickel catalysts for hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
10 Jul 2013
Accepted
09 Sep 2013
First published
09 Sep 2013

Green Chem., 2014,16, 637-644

Control of selectivity, activity and durability of simple supported nickel catalysts for hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose

H. Kobayashi, Y. Hosaka, K. Hara, B. Feng, Y. Hirosaki and A. Fukuoka, Green Chem., 2014, 16, 637 DOI: 10.1039/C3GC41357H

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