Catalytic materials that improve selectivity of biomass conversions

Lignocellulosic biomass is composed of cellulosic and hemicellulosic components. Degradation of these components leads to short-chain aqueous soluble glucan with beta-1,4-glycosidic linkages and its further degradation produces hexose and pentose sugars. Dehydration of these sugar units result in building blocks (platform chemicals) which upon further chemical transformation produces fine chemicals and liquid fuels. Materials with considerable surface acidity and suitable microstructure play crucial roles as catalysts at different steps of the biomass transformation to chemicals and fuels. This review focuses on explaining the roles of the catalytic materials that are employed for improving selectivity of biomass conversions. The article also advances issues such as the morphology and preparation method of materials as a function of their performance. In attempt to keep the focus on materials aspects, mechanistic aspects of biomass conversion has also been discussed in relevant cases. Apart from conventional acidic materials, applications of recently introduced new materials with functionalized surfaces are highlighted with suitable examples. Factors which govern solid materials to perform as catalysts for biomass conversion have been expanded to inform readers with a possible correlation of the reactivity patterns of the materials for different substrates and their macro-and micro-structures.