Conversion of biomass-derived butanal into gasoline-range branched hydrocarbon over Pd-supported catalysts

For production of gasoline-range branched hydrocarbon from butanal, Pd catalysts supported on different metal oxides were applied. Among the prepared catalysts, Pd/ZrO2 showed the complete butanal conversion with the formation of C7-to-C9 branched hydrocarbon (75% yield). Additionally, the ratios of O/C and straight-chain to branched hydrocarbon (n-C/br-C) were found to be 0.005 and 0.17, respectively. This indicates that an adequate combination of Pd dispersion and amphoteric ZrO2 character promoted hydrodeoxygenation, C–C coupling and isomerization reactions. Consequently, both Pd dispersion and acid–base properties of supports are suggested to play a pivotal role in producing gasoline-range hydrocarbon at a high yield.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Biomass-derived butanal was converted over Pd-supported catalysts. ► Higher yield of C7-to-C9 hydrocarbon was achieved over Pd/ZrO2. ► Pd/ZrO2 efficiently produced branched O-free hydrocarbon. ► Amphoteric property of ZrO2 is required for formation of gasoline-range compounds. ► The findings resulted from well-balanced Pd dispersion and support acidity–basicity.