Polyphenylene as an active support for Ru-catalyzed hydrogenolysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c11888

Authors: Qiming Wang (University College London (UCL)) , Xuze Guan (University College London) , Liqun Kang (University College London) , Bolun Wang (University College London) , Lin Sheng (University College London) , Feng Ryan Wang (University College London)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces

State: Published (Approved)
Published: November 2020
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 15151 , 21370 , 19246 , 22572

Abstract: Selective transformation of biomass feedstocks to platform molecules is a key pursuit for sustainable chemical production. Compared to petrochemical processes, biomass transformation requires the defunctionalization of highly polar molecules at relatively low temperatures. As a result, catalysts based on functional organic polymers may play a prominent role. Targeting the hydrogenolysis of the platform chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), here, we design a polyphenylene (PPhen) framework with purely sp2-hybridized carbons that can isolate 5-HMF via π–π stacking, preventing hemiacetal and humin formation. With good swellability, the PPhen framework here has successfully supported and dispersed seven types of metal particles via a newly developed swelling-impregnation method, including Ru, Pt, Au, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu. Ru/PPhen is studied for 5-HMF hydrogenolysis, achieving a 92% yield of 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) under mild conditions, outperforming the state-of-the-art catalysts reported in the literature. In addition, PPhen helps perform a solventless reaction, achieving direct 5-HMF to DMF conversion in the absence of any liquid solvent or reagent. This approach in designing support–reactant/solvent/metal interactions will play an important role in surface catalysis.

Journal Keywords: support−reactant/metal/solvent interaction; swelling-impregnation; 5-hydroxymethylfurfural; hydrogenolysis; catalyst reactivation

Diamond Keywords: Biofuel

Subject Areas: Chemistry

Diamond Offline Facilities: Electron Physical Sciences Imaging Centre (ePSIC)
Instruments: B18-Core EXAFS , E01-JEM ARM 200CF

Other Facilities: P64 beamline at Petra III DESY

Added On: 23/11/2020 10:31

Discipline Tags:

Bioenergy Earth Sciences & Environment Biotechnology Sustainable Energy Systems Energy Climate Change Physical Chemistry Catalysis Chemistry Engineering & Technology Organic Chemistry

Technical Tags:

Microscopy Spectroscopy Electron Microscopy (EM) Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES)