Unique Approach for Transforming Glucose to C3 Platform Chemicals Using Metallic Iron and a Pd/C Catalyst in Water

In the utilization of biomass for fuels and chemicals, the key reactions involved are hydrogenolysis and deoxygenation using hydrogen. Unfortunately, the industrial use of molecular hydrogen is limited because of various drawbacks, such as high cost and considerable hazards associated with high-pressure operation. In this study, a unique chemical manufacturing process was proposed for inducing the hydrogenolysis and deoxygenation of biomass carbohydrates using hydrogen generated in situ from the reaction between metallic iron and water. From the results obtained, hydrogen generated in situ by metallic iron particles (hydrogen-generating agent) combined with a carbon-supported palladium catalyst (hydrogenation catalyst) transforms glucose to C3 platform chemicals, such as propylene glycol, hydroxyacetone, and lactic acid. Moreover, reaction conditions and mechanism were also evaluated. With the use of the proposed system, value-added chemicals were produced from biomass carbohydrates by using renewable sources of energy (such as hydrogen generated from the reaction between iron and water) without the complete dependence on fossil resources.