One-pot Aldol Condensation and Hydrodeoxygenation of Biomass-derived Carbonyl Compounds for Biodiesel Synthesis (original) (raw)

This research presents a one-pot procedure that integrates aldol condensation and hydrodeoxygenation to convert biomass-derived carbonyl compounds into biodiesel. Using a model reaction between furfural and acetone, various catalytic combinations and conditions were tested, identifying that bifunctional catalysts in an aqueous phase significantly enhance selectivity toward n-alkanes (over 50%) under optimal reaction conditions. The approach not only simplifies the process of producing biofuels from lignocellulosic materials but also has implications for lowering energy use and carbon footprints associated with conventional biomass conversion methods.