Production of alkanes from biomass derived carbohydrates on bi-functional catalysts employing niobium-based supports

Bi-functional catalysts consisting of Pt supported on niobium-based solid acids were synthesized and utilized in the aqueous-phase dehydration and hydrogenation of sorbitol to alkanes at temperatures near 530 K and pressures of 54 bar. At low space velocities, the yield of alkanes is highest but decreases in favor of oxygenated compounds as the space velocity is increased. Niobium-based catalysts demonstrate superior reactivity in comparison to a silica-alumina based catalyst. This higher reactivity is not related to the concentration of acid sites but rather is attributed to the coordination environment of the niobium acid center. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.