Some insight into the role of different copper species as acids in cellulose deconstruction

• Supported copper catalysts can be used in cellulose deconstruction.
• Dispersed CuO increases selectivity to glucose.
• Ionic-like Cu species increase conversion and selectivity to lactic acid.
• Lewis acid sites are responsible for the increase in selectivity to glucose.
• Lewis + Brønsted sites are responsible for lactic acid formation.

Supported copper catalysts have been tested in cellulose hydrolysis and compared with the corresponding bare supports. Selectivity to glucose was improved when the metallic phase was formed by very well dispersed CuO that acted as a Lewis acid. On the contrary, when the metal was present as ionic species as in silica alumina supported systems, an increase in both conversion and selectivity to lactic acid was observed due to the combination of Lewis and Brønsted acidic sites.

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