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Mechanistic Studies of the Cu(OH) + ‐Catalyzed Isomerization of Glucose into Fructose in Water
Author(s) -
Mensah Joel B.,
Delidovich Irina,
Hausoul Peter J. C.,
Weisgerber Laurent,
Schrader Wolfgang,
Palkovits Regina
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.201800483
Subject(s) - isomerization , chemistry , catalysis , fructose , copper , inorganic chemistry , hydrolysis , yield (engineering) , intramolecular force , organic chemistry , materials science , metallurgy
The isomerization of glucose to fructose is a crucial interim step in the processing of biomass to renewable fuels and chemicals. This study investigates the copper‐catalyzed glucose–fructose isomerization in water, focusing on insights into the roles of the dissolved copper species. Depending on the pH, the thermodynamic equilibrium shifted towards one or a few copper species, namely Cu 2+ , Cu(OH) + , and Cu(OH) 2 . According to thermodynamics, the highest concentration of Cu(OH) + is at pH 5.3, at which the highest fructose yield of 16 % is achieved. The obtained fructose yields strongly correlate with the concentration of Cu(OH) + . A pH decrease of 2–3 units was observed during the reaction, resulting in the deactivation of the catalyst through hydrolysis in acidic media. Based on the results of the catalytic experiments, as well as spectroscopic and spectrometric studies, we propose Cu(OH) + as an active Lewis‐acidic species following an intramolecular 1,2‐hydride shift.