Zeolite-related catalysts for biomass-derived sugar valorization

Abstract Zeolites that are porous aluminosilicate materials have been widely used as efficient catalysts for the valorization of biomass to value-added chemicals and biofuels because of their controllable acidity, excellent chemical and thermal stability, outstanding porosity, and shape-selectivity. Isomerization of aldoses to ketoses coupled with various downstream chemical reactions and biotechnological processes is one of the key strategies for efficient upgrading of biomass-derived sugars to high-value products. By properly adjusting the acid site type (Lewis and Bronsted acid), porous structure, and adjacent active species, zeolites have been developed as highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts for sugar isomerization via proton transfer or intramolecular hydride shift, as well as polysaccharide/oligosaccharide hydrolysis, monosaccharide dehydration, and so forth. This chapter overviews the development of different preparation approaches toward acidic zeolitic materials used for aldose-to-ketose isomerization and carbohydrates-involved transformations. Special emphasis is laid on the relationship between the zeolite acidity/structures and the reaction efficiencies, and the reaction mechanism for each conversion process. Moreover, a brief outlook on the modification and design of zeolitic materials and other relevant solid functional catalysts for biomass valorization is also presented.