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pH-Controlled Efficient Conversion of Hemicellulose to Furfural Using Choline-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents as
Shalini Arora1, Neeraj Gupta2, Vasundhara Singh1
1Department of Applied Sciences, Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University) Sector-12, Chandigarh.
Chemsuschem
|July 29, 2021
Summary
This study demonstrates the efficient conversion of hemicellulose from biomass into furfural using pH-controlled deep eutectic solvents (DES). Optimized conditions using choline chloride/p-toluene sulfonic acid (ChCl/p-TSA) achieved high furfural yields with recyclable green solvents.
Area of Science:
- Green Chemistry
- Biomass Valorization
- Catalysis
Background:
- Lignocellulosic biomass offers a sustainable source for chemical production.
- Hemicellulose conversion to furfural is a key step in biomass valorization.
- Deep eutectic solvents (DES) present promising alternatives as green solvents and catalysts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of Brønsted acidic (BA) and natural acidic (NA) DES for hemicellulose valorization to furfural.
- To optimize pH control and reaction conditions for maximizing furfural yield.
- To evaluate the recyclability and efficiency of the developed DES-based catalytic system.
Main Methods:
- Hemicellulose isolation from lignocellulosic biomass (wheat straw, rice husk, bagasse).
- pH-controlled acid catalysis using various choline-based BA and NA DES.
- Optimization of DES composition (molar ratio), pH, DES loading, reaction time, and temperature.
- Analysis of furfural yield and DES recyclability.
Main Results:
- Choline chloride/p-toluene sulfonic acid (ChCl/p-TSA) DES at pH 1.0 yielded the highest furfural (85%).
- Furfural yield decreased significantly with increasing pH from 1.0 to 3.0.
- Optimized conditions (5 mmol DES, pH 1.0, 1.5 h, 120°C) achieved 85% furfural yield.
- DES catalysts were recycled up to five times with consistent efficiency.
Conclusions:
- pH-controlled acid catalysis using specific DES is an effective method for hemicellulose valorization to furfural.
- The developed method utilizes green solvents, mild conditions, and is suitable for scale-up.
- Recyclable DES offer an economically and environmentally viable approach for furfural production.
