Efficient Synthesis of Sugar Alcohols over a Synergistic and Sustainable Catalyst

Main observation and conclusion A series of catalysts were prepared for sugar alcohols production to overcome the deficiencies of the previous reported catalysts, such as low yield of sugar alcohols, single function, instability, and controversial role of active sites. The role of each metal and their synergistic-cooperation was discussed in detail with a combination of conditional experiments and characterizations. The results indicated that bifunctional Ni6.66Fe1Al1.55 catalyst has unique structure with superparamagnetism and excellent activity. The (111) and (200) planes of metallic Ni are the hydrogenation active phases and preferentially exposed on Ni-Al-O-x spinel. The desired arabitol or mannitol was obtained by tuning the ratio of Bronsted and Lewis acid sites. The recycling tests indicated that the unique structure of the prepared Ni-based catalyst can suppress leaching and poisoning, which has high textural stability and activity.

Automated summary

The study focused on a novel bifunctional Ni6.66Fe1Al1.55 catalyst with unique structure and excellent activity, obtaining desired products by tuning the ratio of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites. The high textural stability and activity of the catalyst can effectively prevent leaching and poisoning.