One-pot synthesis of sorbitol via hydrolysis-hydrogenation of cellulose in the presence of Ru-containing composites

The aim of this work was to study the one-pot synthesis of sorbitol via hydrolysis-hydrogenation of cellulose in the presence of Ru-containing composites based on H3PW12O40 supported on ZrO2 and Nb2O5 (Ru-PW/ZrO2 and Ru-PW/Nb2O5). The main parameters impacted the reaction rate and yield of sorbitol, i.e. reaction conditions and type of catalyst were investigated. Ru-PW/ZrO2 systems were more active than Ru-PW/Nb2O5. The yield of sorbitol was found to depend on the activation temperature of PW/ZrO2 and PWNb2O5 which affected textural properties, the amount of acid sites and size of Ru nanoparticles. The highest 66% sorbitol yield was observed in the presence of 3%Ru-PW/ZrO2 activated at 550 degrees C and 1/1 of weight ratio of cellulose/catalyst, 180 degrees C, 7 MPa hydrogen pressure. This catalyst was stable for three cycles of the reaction without lost of it's activity.

Automated summary

This study investigated the one-pot synthesis of sorbitol using Ru-containing composites based on H3PW12O40 supported on ZrO2 and Nb2O5 as catalysts. The results showed that Ru-PW/ZrO2 systems were more active than Ru-PW/Nb2O5, with the highest sorbitol yield observed under certain specific reaction conditions. The catalyst showed good stability for multiple reaction cycles without loss of activity.