Catalytic Conversion of Glucose and Chlorella sp. into Furans in the Presence of Niobium Oxide.

A series of Nb₂O₅ solid catalysts have been prepared to be used for the catalytic dehydration of glucose and sugars from algae Chlorella sp. into added value furans. The glucose transformation gave rise to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). Chlorella sp. was used in the same catalytic conditions to be valorised to furans. By preliminary studies we concluded that the algae aqueous suspension needed a previous treatment in the presence of SiO₂ pellets to liberate the carbohydrates that in the catalytic reaction in the presence of Nb2O5 materials gave rise 5-HMF and furfural. The best operative conditions and Nb₂O₅ catalysts were individuated. The most performant Nb₂O₅ catalyst also showed an excellent reusability without deactivation. The selectivity to furans was related to the acidity of the solid used as catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]