Toward Value-Added Dicarboxylic Acids from Biomass Derivatives via Thermocatalytic Conversion

Dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) are highly value-added chemicals and intermediates extensively applied in various fields of the chemical industry. Transformation of the renewable and abundant biomass and its derivatives is viewed as a promising and sustainable process for DCA production, thus being paid considerable attention. The present Review provides a summary of recent achievements in the development of catalytic systems for synthesis of DCAs, including oxalic acid, malonic acid, tartronic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, glucaric acid, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, and terephthalic acid from biomass derivatives in thermocatalytic routes. The performances of catalytic systems are assessed in aspects of reactivity, selectivity toward each DCA, reusability, and operating conditions. The involved reaction pathways and mechanisms are discussed to offer deep insights into DCA formations from biomass derivatives.