One-pot valorization of cellulose to sorbitol over a sustainable bifunctional catalyst supported on hydrochar co-produced during levulinic acid production from sugarcane leaf

Sorbitol is a key biomass-derived platform chemical conventionally produced via glucose hydrogenation. Direct production from cellulose requires integrated hydrolysis and hydrogenation, while valorization of carbonaceous co-products from biomass processing as bifunctional catalyst support remains underexplored. Herein, for the first time, hydrochar co-produced during levulinic acid production from sugarcane leaf (SCL) was reintegrated as a catalyst support for one-pot conversion of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) to sorbitol, establishing a cascade valorization strategy within an SCL biorefinery. Bifunctional Ru-based catalysts were prepared via different routes and comprehensively characterized. Ru/HCS, prepared by carbonization, sulfonation, and Ru loading, exhibited the highest catalytic activity. Its performance was evaluated at 160–240 °C, 2–10 h, 2–6 MPa H 2 , and 15–35 mL water. Under optimum conditions (220 °C, 6 h, 5 MPa H 2 , and 25 mL water), Ru/HCS achieved 72.3% sorbitol yield, 76.0% selectivity, and 95.7% MCC conversion. Quantitative correlation analysis revealed that sorbitol yield could not be adequately explained by bulk SO 3 H density or Ru content alone, indicating that catalytic performance is governed by multiple physicochemical factors. Catalyst stability was evaluated over five cycles. This co-product-to-catalyst approach enhances resource utilization by coupling levulinic acid production with cellulose upgrading, advancing integrated and circular lignocellulosic biorefineries.