Production of methyl levulinate from cellulose over cobalt disulfide: The importance of the crystal facet (111)

The conversion of cellulose to platform chemicals has attracted much attention because of its renewability. This work proposed an earth-abundant cobalt disulfide as a heterogeneous catalyst for methyl levulinate production from cellulose. The highest yield of methyl levulinate reached 61 mol% under the tested conditions of 200 degrees C, 2 MPa initial pressure, 0.45 catalyst/cellulose mass ratio, and 3 h reaction time. The XRD and TEM analyses demonstrated the crystal facet (111) of cobalt disulfide as a robust active site, which was in good agreement with the highest acidity of the crystal facet (111) calculated by the work functions. The XPS characterization showed that the main chemical valence of cobalt disulfide responsible for the methyl levulinate production was the surface Co2+ species. This study is valuable for the development of a recoverable catalyst for the cellulose to methyl levulinate process.

Automated summary

This study proposes the use of earth-abundant cobalt disulfide as a heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of cellulose to methyl levulinate. The highest yield achieved was 61% under specific reaction conditions. Analysis suggests that the crystal facet (111) of cobalt disulfide acts as a robust active site, with the surface Co2+ species being the main chemical valence responsible for methyl levulinate production.