Solvothermal production of dimethylfuran from sugar derivatives toward future transport fuel

Kayode, Bayonle Ayokunle (2015). Solvothermal production of dimethylfuran from sugar derivatives toward future transport fuel. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

2,5-dimethylfuran (2,5-DMF) has gathered interest as an energy-dense compound with similar fuel properties to gasoline. This thesis describes the catalytic hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-dimethylfuran, employing three different hydrogen donor sources (molecular H\(_2\), mixture of formic acid/triethylamine and 2-propanol).

Transmission electron microscope analysis showed that the bio-Pd synthesised by D. desulfuricans were generally larger than both the monometallic Bio-Ru and bimetallic Bio-Pd/Ru synthesised by B. benzeovorans. Under optimised conditions in molecular H\(_2\), 5 wt% Ru/C catalyst achieved 95.1% 2,5-DMF yield in 2 hours; in contrast the 20 wt% Bio-Ru/Pd gave 60.3% yield of 2,5-DMF at identical conditions.

Transfer hydrogenation of 5-HMF to 2,5-DMF was investigated over Ru/C catalyst in formic acid/triethylamine mixture achieving 92.1% 2,5-DMF yield in 4 hours at 210 \(^o\)C and 5:2 molar ratio. It is interesting to note that 56.7% 2,5-DMF yield was achieved using the 20 wt% Bio-Ru/Pd catalyst at identical conditions. Transfer hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in 2-propanol was studied over 5 wt% Bio-Ru/Pd catalyst and 42.6 2,5-DMF yield was obtained at 260 \(^o\)C after 2 hours of reaction time.

It is concluded that hydrogenation of 5-HMF in molecular H\(_2\) offer superior advantages to transfer hydrogenation in HCOOH/Et\(_3\)N mixture and 2-propanol in terms of product yield and selectivity.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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