Transformation of biomass via the selective hydrogenolysis of C-O bonds by nanoscale metal catalysts

Selective hydrogenolysis of C-O bonds is a key transformation in the depolymerization of biomass and deoxygenated biomass-derived platform compounds for the production of renewable chemical feedstocks and fuels. Recently, many highly efficient homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts have been developed for these reactions and herein we highlight the use of dispersed and immobilized nanoscale metal catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of C-O bonds. Bifunctional systems comprising a nanoscale metal catalyst and an acid catalyst, which significantly improves the reaction efficiency, are also described. Potential limitations that must be overcome to enable the widespread use of nanoscale metal catalysts in the selective hydrogenolysis of C-O bonds in biomass utilization are also identified.