Catalytic Conversion of Biomass into Chemicals and Fuels over Magnetic Catalysts

Biomass has emerged as a potential alternative to the dwindling fossil fuel reserves. Catalytic conversion of biomass has become the main route for the transformation of biomass into a variety of commodity chemicals or liquid fuels. Currently, many reviews have effectively documented the use of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for the catalytic transformation of biomass into chemicals and fuels; however, comparatively less attention has been paid to the use of magnetic catalysts in biomass transformation. Magnetic nanoparticles are a well-designed way to bridge the gap between heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. The introduction of magnetic nanoparticles in a variety of solid matrices allows the combination of well-known procedures for catalyst heterogenization with techniques for magnetic separation. The present review will highlight the recent advances in the development of magnetic catalysts for the transformation of carbohydrates or carbohydrate-derived chemicals into valuable chemicals and liquid fuels.