Production of Bio-Based Gasoline by Noble-Metal-Catalyzed Hydrodeoxygenation of alpha-Angelica Lactone Derived Di/Trimers

Conversion of biomass into a suitable fuel involves series of chemical transformation including C-C coupling and hydrodeoxygenation reactions. Here, we have employed coupling reaction to a biomass-derived angelica lactone in the presence of mild alkaline catalysts, K2CO3 to obtain dimers and trimers in appropriate quantities. Hydrodeoxygenation of these molecules over carbon-supported noble metal catalysts was performed. Subsequently, the effect of operating parameters such as hydrogen pressure, temperature and reaction time on the hydrodeoxygenation of di/trimers were fully optimized and liquids suitable for gasoline application were obtained. This process has the potential of scale-up since the raw materials can easily be obtained from freely available biomass and the technology involved in carbon-carbon coupling and hydrodeoxygenation is well known.