Biomasa - źródło cennych związków organicznych

So far, much attention was paid to processes which allow to obtain biofuels from biomass and less important was receiving from biomass valuable chemical compounds. Biomass is a source of a variety of compounds, such as: hydrocarbons, triglycerides, glycerol, hydroksymetylofurfural, cellulose, hemicellulose and pentoses, lignin and lignocellulose. Taking into account the application of the mentioned above compounds, a large number of articles describing catalytic conversion of biomass to valuable chemical compounds has been written during last 10 years. The articles presented specific types of reactions for compounds contained in biomass, such as: hydrolysis, hydrogenation or isomerization, which allow to obtain valuable products. The reactions are catalyzed among others by: metals deposited on the activated carbon, metal oxides, alloys and zeolites. Researchers still improve processes, adapting them to the structure of highly functionalized particles contained in biomass and process needs. At the same time, scientist focused on cost reduction. Renewable raw materials are converted to the intermediates in physical, chemical and physicochemical processes. Next, obtained intermediates are used for receiving valuable chemicals, such as: lubricants, solvents and products that were previously obtained from petroleum. This work presents the conversion of biomass to compounds which have been already prepared by conventional synthetic methods. Besides chemical pure compounds, catalytic reactions with using metals, lead to obtain mixtures of compounds which can be used for the large volume production: additives for paper, paints, resins, foams, surfactants, lubricants and plasticizers. In the chemical industry for many years it has been placed emphasis on processes that are environmentally friendly. Scientists have also focused on improving the activity of used catalysts and the selectivity of products.