Highly selective condensation of biomass-derived methyl ketones as a source of aviation fuel

Sacia, ER; Balakrishnan, M; Deaner, MH; Goulas, KA; Toste, FD; Bell, AT

HERO ID

2902101

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2015

Language

English

PMID

25891778

HERO ID 2902101
In Press No
Year 2015
Title Highly selective condensation of biomass-derived methyl ketones as a source of aviation fuel
Authors Sacia, ER; Balakrishnan, M; Deaner, MH; Goulas, KA; Toste, FD; Bell, AT
Journal ChemSusChem
Volume 8
Issue 10
Page Numbers 1726-1736
Abstract Aviation fuel (i.e., jet fuel) requires a mixture of C9 -C16 hydrocarbons having both a high energy density and a low freezing point. While jet fuel is currently produced from petroleum, increasing concern with the release of CO2 into the atmosphere from the combustion of petroleum-based fuels has led to policy changes mandating the inclusion of biomass-based fuels into the fuel pool. Here we report a novel way to produce a mixture of branched cyclohexane derivatives in very high yield (>94 %) that match or exceed many required properties of jet fuel. As starting materials, we use a mixture of n-alkyl methyl ketones and their derivatives obtained from biomass. These synthons are condensed into trimers via base-catalyzed aldol condensation and Michael addition. Hydrodeoxygenation of these products yields mixtures of C12 -C21 branched, cyclic alkanes. Using models for predicting the carbon number distribution obtained from a mixture of n-alkyl methyl ketones and for predicting the boiling point distribution of the final mixture of cyclic alkanes, we show that it is possible to define the mixture of synthons that will closely reproduce the distillation curve of traditional jet fuel.
Doi 10.1002/cssc.201500002
Pmid 25891778
Wosid WOS:000355220300011
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword biofuels; C-C coupling reactions; heterogeneous catalysis; hydrogenation; jet fuel