@phdthesis{Schneider2023,
  author    = {Schneider, Helen},
  title     = {Reactive eutectic media based on ammonium formate for the valorization of bio-sourced materials},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-61302},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-613024},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {137},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {In the last several decades eutectic mixtures of different compositions were successfully used as solvents for vast amount of chemical processes, and only relatively recently they were discovered to be widely spread in nature. As such they are discussed as a third liquid media of the living cell, that is composed of common cell metabolites. Such media may also incorporate water as a eutectic component in order to regulate properties such as enzyme activity or viscosity. Taking inspiration form such sophisticated use of eutectic mixtures, this thesis will explore the use of reactive eutectic media (REM) for organic synthesis. Such unconventional media are characterized by the reactivity of their components, which means that mixture may assume the role of the solvent as well as the reactant itself. The thesis focuses on novel REM based on ammonium formate and investigates their potential for the valorization of bio-sourced materials. The use of REM allows the performance of a number of solvent-free reactions, which entails the benefits of a superior atom and energy economy, higher yields and faster rates compared to reactions in solution. This is evident for the Maillard reaction between ammonium formate and various monosaccharides for the synthesis of substituted pyrazines as well as for a Leuckart type reaction between ammonium formate and levulinic acid for the synthesis of 5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. Furthermore, reaction of ammonium formate with citric acid for the synthesis of yet undiscovered fluorophores, shows that synthesis in REM can open up unexpected reaction pathways. Another focus of the thesis is the study of water as a third component in the REM. As a result, the concept of two different dilution regimes (tertiary REM and in REM in solvent) appears useful for understanding the influence of water. It is shown that small amounts of water can be of great benefit for the reaction, by reducing viscosity and at the same time increasing reaction yields. REM based on ammonium formate and organic acids are employed for lignocellulosic biomass treatment. The thesis thereby introduces an alternative approach towards lignocellulosic biomass fractionation that promises a considerable process intensification by the simultaneous generation of cellulose and lignin as well as the production of value-added chemicals from REM components. The thesis investigates the generated cellulose and the pathway to nanocellulose generation and also includes the structural analysis of extracted lignin. Finally, the thesis investigates the potential of microwave heating to run chemical reactions in REM and describes the synergy between these two approaches. Microwave heating for chemical reactions and the use of eutectic mixtures as alternative reaction media are two research fields that are often described in the scope of green chemistry. The thesis will therefore also contain a closer inspection of this terminology and its greater goal of sustainability.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Brandi2022,
  author    = {Brandi, Francesco},
  title     = {Integrated biorefinery in continuous flow systems using sustainable heterogeneous catalysts},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-53766},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-537660},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {xii, 201},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {The negative impact of crude oil on the environment has led to a necessary transition toward alternative, renewable, and sustainable resources. In this regard, lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is a promising renewable and sustainable alternative to crude oil for the production of fine chemicals and fuels in a so-called biorefinery process. LCB is composed of polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose), as well as aromatics (lignin). The development of a sustainable and economically advantageous biorefinery depends on the complete and efficient valorization of all components. Therefore, in the new generation of biorefinery, the so-called biorefinery of type III, the LCB feedstocks are selectively deconstructed and catalytically transformed into platform chemicals. For this purpose, the development of highly stable and efficient catalysts is crucial for progress toward viability in biorefinery. Furthermore, a modern and integrated biorefinery relies on process and reactor design, toward more efficient and cost-effective methodologies that minimize waste. In this context, the usage of continuous flow systems has the potential to provide safe, sustainable, and innovative transformations with simple process integration and scalability for biorefinery schemes. This thesis addresses three main challenges for future biorefinery: catalyst synthesis, waste feedstock valorization, and usage of continuous flow technology. Firstly, a cheap, scalable, and sustainable approach is presented for the synthesis of an efficient and stable 35 wt.-\% Ni catalyst on highly porous nitrogen-doped carbon support (35Ni/NDC) in pellet shape. Initially, the performance of this catalyst was evaluated for the aqueous phase hydrogenation of LCB-derived compounds such as glucose, xylose, and vanillin in continuous flow systems. The 35Ni/NDC catalyst exhibited high catalytic performances in three tested hydrogenation reactions, i.e., sorbitol, xylitol, and 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol with yields of 82 mol\%, 62 mol\%, and 100 mol\% respectively. In addition, the 35Ni/NDC catalyst exhibited remarkable stability over a long time on stream in continuous flow (40 h). Furthermore, the 35Ni/NDC catalyst was combined with commercially available Beta zeolite in a dual-column integrated process for isosorbide production from glucose (yield 83 mol\%). Finally, 35Ni/NDC was applied for the valorization of industrial waste products, namely sodium lignosulfonate (LS) and beech wood sawdust (BWS) in continuous flow systems. The LS depolymerization was conducted combining solvothermal fragmentation of water/alcohol mixtures (i.e.,methanol/water and ethanol/water) with catalytic hydrogenolysis/hydrogenation (SHF). The depolymerization was found to occur thermally in absence of catalyst with a tunable molecular weight according to temperature. Furthermore, the SHF generated an optimized cumulative yield of lignin-derived phenolic monomers of 42 mg gLS-1. Similarly, a solvothermal and reductive catalytic fragmentation (SF-RCF) of BWS was conducted using MeOH and MeTHF as a solvent. In this case, the optimized total lignin-derived phenolic monomers yield was found of 247 mg gKL-1.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Braun2017,
  author    = {Braun, Max},
  title     = {Heterogeneous Catalysis for the Conversion of Fructose to Chemicals and Fuel in a Continuous Flow Process},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-410370},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {151},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Die Umsetzung von Zucker (Kohlenhydrate) in einem kontinuierlichen Prozess er{\"o}ffnet M{\"o}glichkeiten der Synthese diverser Chemikalien und Treibstoff aus erneuerbaren Ressourcen, welche heute {\"u}berwiegend aus fossilen Quellen stammen. Passend zum Konzept der Bioraffinerie und der „gr{\"u}nen Chemie", liegt der Fokus dieser Arbeit auf der Umsetzung von in Ethanol gel{\"o}ster Fruktose in einem kontinuierlichen Verfahren, mit Hilfe eigens entwickelter heterogener Katalysatoren. Die Dehydratisierung von Fruktose wird mit einem heterogenen S{\"a}urekatalysator realisiert, w{\"a}hrend die Folgeprodukte mittels einer Hydrodesoxygenierung umgesetzt werden. F{\"u}r den zweiten Schritt kommen Metallkatalysatoren auf Basis von Nickel und Wolframcarbid (WC) zum Einsatz, wodurch der Einsatz teurer Edelmetalle vermieden werden kann. Hauptprodukte des zweistufigen Verfahrens sind 2,5-Dimethylfuran (DMF) und Ethyllevulinat (EL). Beide Molek{\"u}le sind vielversprechende alternative Treibstoffe, bzw. k{\"o}nnen gebr{\"a}uchlichen Treibstoffen beigemischt werden, um deren Einsatz zu reduzieren und schrittweise zu substituieren. Alternativ k{\"o}nnen die Zwischenprodukte der Dehydratisierung, sowie DMF und EL weiter zu Chemikalien umgesetzt werden, welche in der Polymersynthese, als L{\"o}sungsmittel oder als Grundchemikalien eingesetzt werden k{\"o}nnen. Die Entwicklung der jeweiligen Katalysatoren f{\"u}r Dehydratisierungs- und Hydrodesoxygenierungsreaktionen erfolgt auf Basis von karbonisierter Biomasse, sowie Wolframcarbid. Die jeweiligen Reaktivit{\"a}ten werden durch Standardreaktionen getestet, wobei sich Wolframcarbid in Nanopartikelform, in Kombination mit Wasserstoff als sehr aktiv erwiesen hat. Der selbst entwickelte aktivierte Kohlenstoff, das kommerzielle Amberlyst 15, sowie Wolframcarbid mit zus{\"a}tzlichen Nickel-Nanopartikeln werden f{\"u}r weiterf{\"u}hrende Reaktionen in einem kontinuierlichen Prozess herangezogen und kombiniert. Um den Umsatz von Fruktose zu DMF in einer „zwei Reaktoren Anlage" zu erm{\"o}glichen, wird eine Erweiterung eines kommerziellen Reaktorsystems um einen weiteren Reaktor vorgenommen. Die Verweilzeit in der Reaktoranlage betr{\"a}gt somit ca. 14 Minuten, wobei 11 Minuten auf die erste S{\"a}ule (Dehydratisierung) und 3 Minuten auf die zweite S{\"a}ule (Hydrodesoxygenierung) entfallen. In diesem kontinuierlichen und zweistufigen System lassen sich Ausbeuten von 38.5 \% DMF und 47 \% EL erzielen. Ein kontinuierlicher Lauf von sieben Stunden zeigt die Stabilit{\"a}t der eingesetzten Katalysatoren, auch wenn eine geringe Deaktivierung des Dehydratisierungskatalysators beobachtet werden kann. Der Ni@WC Katalysator zeigte hingegen keine Abnahme der Nickel Konzentration und somit kommt es zu keiner Auswaschung des Metalls. Das gebildete EL wurde hingegen nicht umgesetzt und verbleibt unver{\"a}ndert in L{\"o}sung. Das zweistufige System wurde schließlich in einem Mischkatalysatorsystem kombiniert, wobei auf aktivierten und sulfonierten Kohlenstoff zur{\"u}ckgegriffen wurde. Dieser zeigte bereits eine Transferhydrodesoxygenierungsaktivit{\"a}t. Diese Beobachtung ist deshalb bemerkenswert, da erst seit kurzem bekannt ist, dass Graphenstrukturen an sich katalytisch aktiv sein k{\"o}nnen. Um diese Aktivit{\"a}t weiter zu steigern, wurde der aktivierte Kohlenstoff mit 10 wt\% Ni@WC gemischt, sodass beide Katalysatoren in einer S{\"a}ule vorliegen. Die urspr{\"u}nglichen 2 \% DMF Ausbeute mit reinem aktivierten Kohlenstoff k{\"o}nnen somit auf 12 \% gesteigert werden, da das Folgeprodukt EL hierbei vermieden wird und das Zwischenprodukt „HMF Derivat" direkt zu DMF weiter reagieren kann. Dieses Ergebnis zeigt das Potential der „ein Reaktor Umsetzung", weshalb eine kontinuierliche Durchflussreaktoranlage im Litermaßstab als Scale-Up des vorhergehenden Labormaßstabs realisiert wurde. Der 800 mm x 28.5 mm Reaktor bedient eine maximale Flussrate von 50 mL min-1, Dr{\"u}cke von 100 bar und Temperaturen bis zu 500 °C.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Graglia2017,
  author    = {Graglia, Micaela},
  title     = {Lignin valorization},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-104863},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {133},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {The topic of this project is the use of lignin as alternative source of aromatic building blocks and oligomers to fossil feedstocks. Lignin is known as the most abundant aromatic polymer in nature and is isolated from the lignocellulosic component of plants by different possible extraction treatments. Both the biomass source and the extraction method affect the structure of the isolated lignin, therefore influencing its further application. Lignin was extracted from beech wood by two different hydrothermal alkaline treatments, which use NaOH and Ba(OH)2 as base and by an acid-catalyzed organosolv process. Moreover, lignin was isolated from bamboo, beech wood and coconut by soda treatment of the biomasses. A comparison of the structural features of such isolated lignins was performed through the use of a wide range of analytical methods. Alkaline lignins resulted in a better candidate as carbon precursor and macromonomers for the synthesis of polymer than organosolv lignin. In fact, alkaline lignins showed higher residual mass after carbonization and higher content of the reactive hydroxy functionalities. In contrast, the lignin source turned out to slightly affect the lignin hydroxyl content. One of the most common lignin modifications is its deconstruction to obtain aromatic molecules, which can be used as starting materials for the synthesis of fine chemicals. Lignin deconstruction leads to a complex mixture of aromatic molecules. A gas chromatographic analytical method was developed to characterize the mixture of products obtained by lignin deconstruction via heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenolysis. The analytical protocol allowed the quantification of three main groups of molecules by means of calibration curves, internal standard and a preliminary silylation step of the sample. The analytical method was used to study the influence of the hydrogenolysis catalyst, temperature and system (flow and batch reactor) on the yield and selectivity of the aromatic compounds. Lignin extracted from beech wood by a hydrothermal process using Ba(OH)2 as base, was functionalized by aromatic nitration in order to add nitrogen functionalities. The final goal was the synthesis of a nitrogen doped carbon. Nitrated lignin was reduced to the amino form in order to compare the influence of different nitrogen functionalities on the porosity of the final carbon. The carbons were obtained by ionothermal treatment of the precursors in the presence of the eutectic salt mixture KCl/ZnCl2 Such synthesized carbons showed micro-, macro- and mesoporosity and were tested for their electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction. Mesoporous carbon derived from nitro lignin displayed the highest electrocatalytic activity. Lignins isolated from coconut, beech wood and bamboo were used as macromonomers for the synthesis of biobased polyesters. A condensation reaction was performed between lignin and a hyper branched poly(ester-amine), previously obtained by condensation of triethanolamine and adipic acid. The influence of the lignin source and content on the thermochemical and mechanical properties of the final material was investigated. The prepolymer showed adhesive properties towards aluminum and its shear strength was therefore measured. The gluing properties of such synthesized glues turned out to be independent from the lignin source but affected by the amount of lignin in the final material. This work shows that, although still at a laboratory scale, the valorization of lignin can overcome the critical issues of lignin´s structure variability and complexity.},
  language  = {en}
}