Synthesis of diesel and jet fuel range cycloalkanes with cyclopentanone and furfural

Abstract

Diesel and jet fuel range cycloalkanes were obtained in ~84.8% overall carbon yield with cyclopentanone and furfural, which can be produced from hemicellulose. Firstly, 2,5-bis(furan-2-ylmethyl)-cyclopentanone was prepared by the aldol condensation/hydrogenation reaction of cyclopentanone and furfural under solid base and selective hydrogenation catalyst. Over the optimized catalyst (Pd/C-CaO), 98.5% carbon yield of 2,5-bis(furan-2-ylmethyl)-cyclopentanone was acquired at 423 K. Subsequently, the 2,5-bis(furan-2-ylmethyl)-cyclopentanone was further hydrodeoxygenated over the M/H-ZSM-5(Pd, Pt and Ru) catalyst. Overall, 86.1% carbon yield of diesel and jet fuel range cycloalkanes was gained over the Pd/H-ZSM-5 catalyst under solvent-free conditions. The cycloalkane mixture obtained in this work has a high density (0.82 g mL−1) and a low freezing point (241.7 K). Therefore, it can be mixed into diesel and jet fuel to increase their volumetric heat values or payloads.