High Yield Co-Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass Intermediates to Methylated Furans

Prof. Charles Cai and colleagues from the University of California, Riverside have developed a method for high yield co-conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to produce high octane fuel additives dimethyl furan (DMF) and methyl furans (MF). This technology works by using Cu-Ni/TiO2, a unique catalytic material that enables high yield (~90%) conversion of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) and furfural (FF) sourced from lignocellulosic biomass into methylated furans (MF) in either single or co-processing schemes. This invention is advantageous compared to existing technologies due to its high yield and efficiency, low cost, and stable conversion process.

**Fig 1**: UCR’s furfural conversion and product yields as function of reaction time over Cu-Ni/TiO2.

Website

https://techtransfer.universityofcalifornia.edu/NCD/32884.html?utm_source=AUTMGTP&utm_medium=webpage&utm_term=ncdid_32884&utm_campaign=TechWebsites

Potential Applications

For use as a method to produce high octane fuel additives from lignocellulosic biomass.

Contact Information

Name: Grace Yee

Email: grace.yee@ucr.edu

Phone: 951-827-2212