(180c) Mechanistic Insights Into the Selective Catalytic Hydrogenation of Oxygenates Derived From Biomass

The future production of fuels and chemicals will undoubtedly rely on the conversion of C₃-C₆ cellulosic oxygenate intermediates such as glycerol or glucose derived from renewable resources. This will require the ability to selectively activate specific C-O, C-H and C-C bonds while leaving the other bonds in tact.  Herein we discus a number of the elementary reaction steps in the selective hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis of model platform chemicals and the influence of the nature of the reactant, the metal, and the solution properties.