Selective production of phase-separable product from a mixture of biomass-derived aqueous oxygenates.

ABSTRACT: Selective conversion of an aqueous solution of mixed oxygenates produced by biomass fermentation to a value-added single product is pivotal for commercially viable biomass utilization. However, the efficiency and selectivity of the transformation remains a great challenge. Herein, we present a strategy capable of transforming ~70% of carbon in an aqueous fermentation mixture (ABE: acetone-butanol-ethanol-water) to 4-heptanone (4-HPO), catalyzed by tin-doped ceria (Sn-ceria), with a selectivity as high as 86%. Water (up to 27?wt%), detrimental to the reported catalysts for ABE conversion, was beneficial for producing 4-HPO, highlighting the feasibility of the current reaction system. In a 300?h continuous reaction over 2?wt% Sn-ceria catalyst, the average 4-HPO selectivity is maintained at 85% with 50% conversion and >?90% carbon balance. This strategy offers a route for highly efficient organic-carbon utilization, which can potentially integrate biological and chemical catalysis platforms for the robust and highly selective production of value-added chemicals.

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6281651 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature