One-pot synthesis of sorbitol via hydrolysis-hydrogenation of cellulose in the presence of Ru-containing composites.

The aim of this work was to study the one-pot synthesis of sorbitol via hydrolysis-hydrogenation of cellulose in the presence of Ru-containing composites based on HPWO supported on ZrO and NbO (Ru-PW/ZrO and Ru-PW/NbO). The main parameters impacted the reaction rate and yield of sorbitol, i.e. reaction conditions and type of catalyst were investigated. Ru-PW/ZrO systems were more active than Ru-PW/NbO. The yield of sorbitol was found to depend on the activation temperature of PW/ZrO and PW/NbO which affected textural properties, the amount of acid sites and size of Ru nanoparticles. The highest 66% sorbitol yield was observed in the presence of 3%Ru-PW/ZrO activated at 550 °C and 1/1 of weight ratio of cellulose/catalyst, 180 °C, 7 MPa hydrogen pressure. This catalyst was stable for three cycles of the reaction without lost of it's activity.