One-pot catalytic conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol and other chemicals: From fundamental discovery to potential commercialization

The one-pot catalytic conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol (CEG) is a highly attractive way for biomass utilization to lessen the consumption of fossil energy resources. In this paper, we reviewed the disclosure of the CEG process and the rapid progress in the development of highly efficient and robust catalysts for it. Based on our study of tungstenic catalysts, we discuss the reaction mechanism, in which the reaction routes, catalyst states, and catalytic roles of the tungsten species and hydrogenation sites in the cascade reactions are understood clearly. With future applications in mind, the conversion of raw cellulosic biomass and the strategy to develop an efficient CEG process for commercialization are discussed, and a model where the CEG process is incorporated into a bio-refinery process of acetone-n-butanol-ethanol (ABE) production is presented. (C) 2014, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.