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Special Issue "Platform Chemical: Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) II"

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 December 2021) | Viewed by 8272

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Michela Signoretto

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Guest Editor

Department of Molecular Sciences and Nano Systems, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre Venezia, Italy
Interests: nanostructured materials; heterogeneous catalysts; sustainable processes; mesoporous materials; green applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Federica Menegazzo

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Guest Editor

Department of Molecular Sciences and Nano Systems, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre Venezia, Italy
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; metal nanoparticles; oxidation reactions; industrial processes; biomass valorization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) is one of the most important platform chemicals in the bio-based renaissance. HMF can be obtained from fructose, sucrose, and glucose, as well as directly from cellulose, and it can be further transformed into a wide variety of high-performance products over heterogeneous, homogeneous, and enzymatic catalysts.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present a current overview of recent developments in the field of the still open challenges for both HMF production and HMF applications. Submissions are welcome, especially in (but not limited to) the following areas:

Process development for both HMF production and HMF uses (biomass pretreatment, reaction conditions, etc.);
The development of newly designed catalysts for both HMF production and applications (metals, alloys, acid base catalysts, promoters, additives, etc.);
Non catalytic methods for HMF production and uses;
Innovative reactor design (membrane reactors, microreactors, trickle-bed reactors, etc.);
Mechanistic investigations.

All researchers working in the field are cordially invited to contribute original research papers to this Special Issue of Molecules. Reviews are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Michela Signoretto
Dr. Federica Menegazzo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2300 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

HMF
Biomass valorization
Biorefinery
Catalysis
Renewables
Lignocellulosic biomasses
Platform chemicals

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

Effect of Ceria Addition to Na₂O-ZrO₂ Catalytic Mixtures on Lignin Waste Ex-Situ Pyrolysis

Adam Yeardley

Giuseppe Bagnato

and

Aimaro Sanna

Molecules 2021, 26(4), 827; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26040827 - 05 Feb 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1107

Abstract

Waste lignin is a potential source of renewable fuels and other chemical precursors under catalytic pyrolysis. For this purpose, four mixed metal oxide catalytic mixtures (Cat) derived from Na₂CO₃, CeO₂ and ZrO₂ were synthesised in varying compositions and utilised in a fixed bed reactor for catalytic vapour upgrading of Etek lignin pyrolysis products at 600 °C. The catalytic mixtures were analysed and characterised using XRD analysis, whilst pyrolysis products were analysed for distribution of products using FTIR, GC-MS and EA. Substantial phenolic content (20 wt%) was obtained when using equimolar catalytic mixture A (Cat_A), however the majority of these phenols were guaiacol derivatives, suggesting the catalytic mixture employed did not favour deep demethoxylation. Despite this, addition of 40–50% ceria to NaZrO₂ resulted in a remarkable reduction of coke to 4 wt%, compared to ~9 wt% of NaZrO₂. CeO₂ content higher than 50% favoured the increase in conversion of the holo-cellulose fraction, enriching the bio-oil in aldehydes, ketones and cyclopentanones. Of the catalytic mixtures studied, equimolar metal oxides content (Cat_A) appears to showcase the optimal characteristics for phenolics production and coking reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Platform Chemical: Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) II)

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Open AccessArticle

Photocatalytic Oxidation of HMF under Solar Irradiation: Coupling of Microemulsion and Lyophilization to Obtain Innovative TiO₂-Based Materials

and

Molecules 2020, 25(22), 5225; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225225 - 10 Nov 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2427

Abstract

The photocatalytic oxidation of biomass-derived building blocks such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a promising reaction for obtaining valuable chemicals and the efficient long-term storage of solar radiation. In this work, we developed innovative TiO₂-based materials capable of base-free HMF photo-oxidation in water using simulated solar irradiation. The materials were prepared by combining microemulsion and spray-freeze drying (SFD), resulting in highly porous systems with a large surface area. The effect of titania/silica composition and the presence of gold-copper alloy nanoparticles on the properties of materials as well as photocatalytic performance were evaluated. Among the lab-synthesized photocatalysts, Ti₁₅Si₈₅ SFD and Au₃Cu₁/Ti₁₅Si₈₅ SFD achieved the higher conversions, while the best selectivity was observed for Au₃Cu₁/Ti₁₅Si₈₅ SFD. The tests with radical scavengers for both TiO₂-m and Au₃Cu₁/Ti₁₅Si₈₅ SFD suggested that primary species responsible for the selective photo-oxidation of HMF are photo-generated electrons and/or superoxide radicals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Platform Chemical: Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) II)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

Production of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural from Chitin Biomass: A Review

and

Molecules 2020, 25(3), 541; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030541 - 27 Jan 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4294

Abstract

Chitin biomass, a rich renewable resource, is the second most abundant natural polysaccharide after cellulose. Conversion of chitin biomass to high value-added chemicals can play a significant role in alleviating the global energy crisis and environmental pollution. In this review, the recent achievements in converting chitin biomass to high-value chemicals, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), under different conditions using chitin, chitosan, glucosamine, and N-acetylglucosamine as raw materials are summarized. Related research on pretreatment technology of chitin biomass is also discussed. New approaches for transformation of chitin biomass to HMF are also proposed. This review promotes the development of industrial technologies for degradation of chitin biomass and preparation of HMF. It also provides insight into a sustainable future in terms of renewable resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Platform Chemical: Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) II)

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