Catalytic conversion of glucose and its biopolymers into renewable compounds by inducing C–C bond scission and formation

Abstract

Transportation fuels and chemicals can be produced renewably by selectively altering the carbon skeleton of biomass-derived glucose. The predominantly catalytic processes incorporate carbon–carbon (C–C) bond scission and formation reactions with concomitant defunctionalization and refunctionalization steps. The production and synthetic upgrading of various biochemicals achieved by the C–C bond-scission (C1–C5) and C–C bond-forming (> C6) reactions from glucose and its biopolymers (e.g., starch, cellulose) have been reviewed. The details of transforming glucose and its polymers into targeted biochemicals, such as mechanistic pathway, process parameters, product selectivity, and specifics of the catalysts employed, have been elaborated. The interconversions of these chemicals of commercial significance under catalytic conditions are also highlighted. This review will assist the researchers in comprehending this field from a distinct perspective, reassess the challenges, identify the research gaps, and critically appraise the emerging research avenues. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2022.