Biomass Derivatives: A Sustainable Source of Chemicals

摘要

Ongoing use of petroleum for transportation fuels, chemical feedstocks and energy is not sustainable. It is imperative that new catalysts for existing processes and new products are developed based on renewable sources, to reduce US dependence on foreign oil. The US is well suited to be a major player in this area due to a large supply of biomass. DOE has identified 12 chemicals that can be produced from sugars as key feedstocks for future biorefineries. Catalytic transformation of these future feedstocks provides new market opportunities. Levulinic acid is one of DOE's top 12 bioderived feedstocks and it can be obtained directly by cellulose hydrolysis. A number of high value derivatives such as pyrrolidones, monomers for the synthesis of high Tg amorphous polymers and fuel additives can be prepared. This paper summarizes some of our early results.