Chemical Transformation of Lignocellulosic Biomass into Fuels and Chemicals

Abstract

A method for converting a carbohydrate to a furan in a polar aprotic solvent in the presence of a chloride, bromide, or iodide salt or a mixture thereof and optionally in the presence of an acid catalyst, a metal halide catalyst and/or an ionic liquid (up to 40 wt %). The method can be employed in particular to produce furfural or 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.

1 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method for generating one or more monosaccharides from biomass which comprises the step of contacting the biomass with a polar aprotic solvent containing a chloride, bromide or iodide, and a catalyst. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the catalyst is an acid. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the biomass is lignocellulosic biomass. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the monosaccharide is glucose. 
     
     
         30 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A monosaccharide feedstock comprising a monosaccharide in a polar aprotic solvent and a chloride, bromide or iodide salt. 
     
     
         37 . The feedstock of  claim 36  wherein the polar aprotic solvent is DMXdimethylacetamide. 
     
     
         38 . The feedstock of  claim 36  further comprising lignin. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the solvent is an ionic liquid. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the solvent is a mixture of an ionic liquid and a polar aprotic solvent. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the polar aprotic solvent is selected from N,N-dialkylacetamides, N,N-dialkylformamides, 2-pyrrolidones or 3-pyrrolidones, alkyl- or N-alkyl-substituted pyrrolidinones, pyrrolidine carboxaldehydes, dialkylsulfones, cyclic sulfolanes, alkyl or dialkyl sulfolanes, dialkyl sulfoxides, alkyl or N-alkyl-substituted lactams, or dialkyl propionamides, wherein alkyl groups have 1-6 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         42 . The feedstock of  claim 36  wherein the solvent is an ionic liquid. 
     
     
         43 . The feedstock of  claim 36  wherein the solvent is a mixture of an ionic liquid and a polar aprotic solvent. 
     
     
         44 . The feedstock of  claim 43  wherein the polar aprotic solvent is selected from N,N-dialkylacetamides, N,N-dialkylformamides, 2-pyrrolidones or 3-pyrrolidones, alkyl- or N-alkyl-substituted pyrrolidinones, pyrrolidine carboxaldehydes, dialkylsulfones, cyclic sulfolanes, alkyl or dialkyl sulfolanes, dialkyl sulfoxides, alkyl or N-alkyl-substituted lactams, or dialkyl propionamides, wherein alkyl groups have 1-6 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         45 . A method for solubilizing cellulose or hemicellulose from biomass comprising contacting the biomass with a polar aprotic solvent containing a chloride, bromide or iodine salt. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the solvent is dimethylacetamide. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the solvent is dimethylacetamide containing 10% by weight LiCl. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the solvent is a mixture of an ionic liquid and a polar aprotic solvent. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the polar aprotic solvent is selected from N,N-dialkylacetamides, N,N-dialkylformamides, 2-pyrrolidones or 3-pyrrolidones, alkyl- or N-alkyl-substituted pyrrolidinones, pyrrolidine carboxaldehydes, dialkylsulfones, cyclic sulfolanes, alkyl or dialkyl sulfolanes, dialkyl sulfoxides, alkyl or N-alkyl substituted lactams, or dialkyl propionamides, wherein alkyl groups have 1-6 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45  which is carried out at a temperature ranging from ambient to 100° C.