Abstract
Notably available from the cellulose contained in lignocellulosic biomass, glucose is a highly attractive substrate for eco-efficient processes towards high-value chemicals. A recent strategy for biomass valorization consists on combining biocatalysis and chemocatalysis to realise the so-called chemo-enzymatic or hybrid catalysis. Optimisation of the glucose conversion to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is the object of many research efforts. HMF can be produced by chemo-catalyzed fructose dehydration, while fructose can be selectively obtained from enzymatic glucose isomerization. Despite recent advances in HMF production, a fully integrated efficient process remains to be demonstrated. Our innovative approach consists on a continuous process involving enzymatic glucose isomerization, selective arylboronic-acid mediated fructose complexation/transportation, and chemical fructose dehydration to HMF. We designed a novel reactor based on two aqueous phases dynamically connected via an organic liquid membrane, which enabled substantial enhancement of glucose conversion (70%) while avoiding intermediate separation steps. Furthermore, in the as-combined steps, the use of an immobilized glucose isomerase and an acidic resin facilitates catalyst recycling.
Highlights
In a context of the fast depletion of fossil resources, lignocellulosic biomass possesses a high potential as a sustainable raw material for fuels [1] and fine chemicals [2,3] production in industrially significant volumes
In the last few years, a new paradigm of catalysis has emerged to answer the challenges of selectivity and productivity by combining biocatalysis and chemocatalysis [8,9,10]
This combination is known as chemo-enzymatic catalysis or hybrid catalysis [11,12]
Summary
In a context of the fast depletion of fossil resources, lignocellulosic biomass possesses a high potential as a sustainable raw material for fuels [1] and fine chemicals [2,3] production in industrially significant volumes. In the last few years, a new paradigm of catalysis has emerged to answer the challenges of selectivity and productivity by combining biocatalysis and chemocatalysis [8,9,10]. This combination is known as chemo-enzymatic catalysis or hybrid catalysis [11,12]
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