Production of Platform Chemicals and Synthesis Gas from Biomass

Sugar rush: The development of biorefinery technology and the use of renewable resources is gaining importance in the chemical industry. The emphasis of current research lies in the production of platform chemicals and synthesis gas (syngas) from biomass (lignocellulosic feedstock). Examples include the two-phase conversion reaction of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF; see scheme) as well as the production of syngas from glycerol using Pt-Al2O3.