Hydrogenolysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to C6 polyols using Ru/C as catalyst.

In a world of increasing demand for energy and new sources for fuels and chemicals, biomass is considered a foreseeable source for biofuels, biochemicals and materials. Among the lignocellulosic biomass derivatives for the synthesis of chemicals there is hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). This thesis work was focused on the hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis of HMF and its derivatives, BHMF, BHMTHF and HHD, to obtain C6 polyols. These, combined with 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), an HMF oxidation product, could be used to produce bioplastics. The reactions were carried out principally in water, but also in multiphase conditions (MP), which then allowed catalyst recycle tests. Multiple protocols for these reactions were developed after studying the influence of temperature, pressure, time and catalysts.