Efficient one-pot conversion of cellulose into sorbitol with Ru-doped chitosan-phytic acid supramolecular crosslinked catalyst

Bifunctional catalysts synthesized from renewable materials for conversion of cellulose to platform chemicals are needed in biorefinery development. Herein, supramolecular assembly and crosslinking of chitosan by phytic acid was used to synthesize Ru-doped phosphorus- and nitrogen- carbon catalysts (Ru/PNC) for one-pot conversion of cellulose to sorbitol. Sorbitol yields as high as 78% were obtained from cellulose with the Ru/PNC catalyst in water at 200 degrees C and 4 MPa H-2 for 3 h. P content was found to have a linear relationship with the cellulose conversion and sorbitol yield within a certain range. The prepared catalyst exhibited good stability, and could be recycled for at least 5 times. Other cellulosic sources (cotton wool, filter paper) afforded sorbitol yields >60%, showing the potential of the catalyst for industrial production. This work demonstrates that supramolecular assembly and cross-linking can be used to design efficient, durable, and renewable bifunctional catalysts for biomass upgrading.