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1.1.1 Furfural
Furfural is a promising biomass-derived platform molecule produced from the lignocellulosic biomass, which can be further transformed into biofuels and biochemicals. Because of the highly functionalized molecular structure, FUR represents as a
preferred feedstock material for the sustainable production of a variety of valuable
oxygenated products. The catalytic transformation of furfural from C 4 to C 13 products by various catalytic nanocomposites is discussed. For example, the C 5 products
are mostly produced through sequential hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis, whereas
most of the C 4 products are produced with selective catalytic oxidation as the first
step [1]. The physicochemical properties of the FUR and HMF compounds are
listed in Table 1.
1.1.2 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)
HMF is a highly oxygenated platform molecule in comparison with that of most
petrochemical products. However, it is known to be toxic in nature for few microorganisms [12]. Thus, the catalytic transformation of HMF into value-added chemicals and biofuels is an important challenge. HMF is multifunctionalized platform
molecule, and various reactions could be proceeded in the selective catalytic conversions. In addition, the HMF molecule has an aldehyde group, a hydroxyl group,
and a furan ring which offers a great potential for the production of various valuable
chemicals and fuels. In this chapter, we mainly focused on selective catalytic transformation of HMF into valuable products over the highly active nanocomposite
materials as heterogeneous catalysts. Also, the different catalytic reactions were
described, including hydrogenation, condensation, oxidation, and amination.
Table 1 Physicochemical properties of the furfural and HMF compounds
Property
Furfural
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural
Molecular formula
C 5 H 4 O 2
C 6 H 6 O 3
Molecular weight
96.08 g mol
−1
126.11 g mol
−1
Density
1.16 g cm
−3 at 20 °C
1.29 g cm
−3 at 20 °C
Vapor pressure
2.6 mmHg (0.35 kPa) at 20 °C
0.001 mmHg at 25 °C
Boiling point
162 °C
115 °C
Melting point
37 °C
32 °C
Flash point
62 °C
79.44 °C
Appearance
Colorless to yellow oily
Liquid; turns black in air
Low-melting white solid
Odor
Almond-like pungent odor
Buttery, caramel
Efficient Nanocomposite Catalysts for Sustainable Production of Biofuels and…
1.1.1 Furfural
Furfural is a promising biomass-derived platform molecule produced from the lignocellulosic biomass, which can be further transformed into biofuels and biochemicals. Because of the highly functionalized molecular structure, FUR represents as a
preferred feedstock material for the sustainable production of a variety of valuable
oxygenated products. The catalytic transformation of furfural from C 4 to C 13 products by various catalytic nanocomposites is discussed. For example, the C 5 products
are mostly produced through sequential hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis, whereas
most of the C 4 products are produced with selective catalytic oxidation as the first
step [1]. The physicochemical properties of the FUR and HMF compounds are
listed in Table 1.
1.1.2 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)
HMF is a highly oxygenated platform molecule in comparison with that of most
petrochemical products. However, it is known to be toxic in nature for few microorganisms [12]. Thus, the catalytic transformation of HMF into value-added chemicals and biofuels is an important challenge. HMF is multifunctionalized platform
molecule, and various reactions could be proceeded in the selective catalytic conversions. In addition, the HMF molecule has an aldehyde group, a hydroxyl group,
and a furan ring which offers a great potential for the production of various valuable
chemicals and fuels. In this chapter, we mainly focused on selective catalytic transformation of HMF into valuable products over the highly active nanocomposite
materials as heterogeneous catalysts. Also, the different catalytic reactions were
described, including hydrogenation, condensation, oxidation, and amination.
Table 1 Physicochemical properties of the furfural and HMF compounds
Property
Furfural
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural
Molecular formula
C 5 H 4 O 2
C 6 H 6 O 3
Molecular weight
96.08 g mol
−1
126.11 g mol
−1
Density
1.16 g cm
−3 at 20 °C
1.29 g cm
−3 at 20 °C
Vapor pressure
2.6 mmHg (0.35 kPa) at 20 °C
0.001 mmHg at 25 °C
Boiling point
162 °C
115 °C
Melting point
37 °C
32 °C
Flash point
62 °C
79.44 °C
Appearance
Colorless to yellow oily
Liquid; turns black in air
Low-melting white solid
Odor
Almond-like pungent odor
Buttery, caramel
Efficient Nanocomposite Catalysts for Sustainable Production of Biofuels and…