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Acid‐Catalyzed Conversion of Carbohydrates into Value‐Added Small Molecules in Aqueous Media and Ionic Liquids
Author(s) -
Bodachivskyi Iurii,
Kuzhiumparambil Unnikrishnan,
Williams D. Bradley G.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201702016
Subject(s) - ionic liquid , cellulose , biopolymer , chemistry , lignin , lignocellulosic biomass , biomass (ecology) , catalysis , organic chemistry , green chemistry , aqueous solution , aqueous medium , molecule , chemical engineering , levulinic acid , polymer , oceanography , engineering , geology
Biomass is the only realistic major alternative source (to crude oil) of hydrocarbon substrates for the commercial synthesis of bulk and fine chemicals. Within biomass, terrestrial sources are the most accessible, and therein lignocellulosic materials are most abundant. Although lignin shows promise for the delivery of certain types of organic molecules, cellulose is a biopolymer with significant potential for conversion into high‐volume and high‐value chemicals. This review covers the acid‐catalyzed conversion of lower value (poly)carbohydrates into valorized organic building‐block chemicals (platform molecules). It focuses on those conversions performed in aqueous media or ionic liquids to provide the reader with a perspective on what can be considered a best case scenario, that is, that the overall process is as sustainable as possible.