Platform-chemicals synthesis through selective hydrogenation of chemical intermediates from renewable resources

The necessity of replacing fossil resources with renewable ones makes the catalytic conversion of these last a real challenge for the industrial chemistry. In this perspective, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a key molecule because it could be obtained from renewable resources, such as the lignocellulosic biomass, and, due to its functionality, it could be a precursor of important monomers, biofuels and chemicals. Under this perspective, the present project has two main goals: i) the optimization of HMF synthesis from monosaccharides, polysaccharides and raw biomasses, and ii) the optimization of HMF conversion to valuable products under the most sustainable reaction conditions. Regarding the synthesis of HMF, it was carried out starting from fructose, inulin and Jerusalem artichoke in the presence of both heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. Once optimized the synthesis of HMF, its conversion to valuable products involved the hydrogenation reaction to two important monomers, such as 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) and 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran (BHMTHF). Also in this case, the reaction was carried out in the respect of Green Chemistry principles. Their synthesis was optimized both in batch and flow reactors, in the first case starting from both pure HMF and crude hydrolyzate through a cascade process. In conclusion, this work contributed to the development of the exploitation of renewable resources for the production of alternative platform-chemicals and monomers.