Sustainable hydrocarbon production via simultaneous condensation-hydrodeoxygenation of propionic acid with furfural over red mud-supported noble metal catalysts

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.catcom.2018.11.015

A new catalytic system for single-step alkane synthesis from furans and carboxylic acids was investigated using noble metals-supported red mud (RM) catalysts. Maximum alkane selectivities were 100%, 87%, and 56% over Pt/RM, Pd/RM, and Ru/RM respectively. Potassium doping prolonged the catalyst life by suppressing methanation reaction, decreased coking, and enhancing the stability of noble metals towards oxidation. Five functionalities were accomplished on the modified catalysts: partial reduction of propionic acid on noble metals; moderating coking reactions on K, suppressing methanation on K, ketonization of acid on RM, and condensation-hydrodeoxygenation reaction on RM. Magnetite played significant role in catalyzing ketonization reaction.