Selective Conversion of Cellulose to Hydroxyacetone and 1‐Hydroxy‐2‐Butanone with Sn–Ni Bimetallic Catalysts

Abstract The high‐value‐added chemicals hydroxyacetone (HA) and 1‐hydroxy‐2‐butanone (HB) were produced from agricultural waste over a Ni 3 Sn 4 ‐SnO x catalyst. The Sn–Ni intermetallic compound and SnO x acted as the active sites for HA and HB production by selectively cleaving the target C−C and C−O bonds. Approximately 70 % of the total HA and HB yield was obtained by selective hydrogenolysis of cellulose. This strategy expands the application of cellulose towards renewable production of high‐value C 3 and C 4 keto‐alcohols from cellulosic biomass.