Use of zeolites in green chemicals and bio-fuel production via HMF valorisation

The use of zeolites for catalytic conversion of biomass-derived molecules was pioneered in the late ‘90 by Avelino Corma, who elucidated the role of acidity (type and distribution) and the topology of such materials. His landmarking work expanded the role of zeolites in biomass conversion catalysis and led to industrial processes for sustainable chemical production. This contribution will briefly recall his results in the area, later analysing the challenge of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) catalytic valorisation using zeolites. Derived from sugar, HMF is one of the most promising molecules to produce a wide variety of sustainable molecules to be used in many production sectors, from bio-fuel or fuel additives to monomers and surfactants. This short review focuses on the role of zeolites and zeo-types promoting the conversion of HMF into valuable bio-based chemical compounds, rationalising some key aspects. They include i) the tuning of the acidity, ii) the role of zeolite topology, and iii) the importance of the surface polarity. These are the primary tools to tailor the selectivity toward specific target products. In addition, to give an outlook to rising technologies for decarbonisation strategies, the potential role of carbonaceous materials derived from zeolite replica (ZTC) is rationalised by discussing up-to-frontier electrochemical applications for furfurals transformation.