SYNTHESIS OF BIOMASS-DERIVED CATALYSTS AND THEIR ORGANIC TRANSFORMATIONS

The increasing demand for a chemically sustainable and environmentally friendly chemical process has greatly increased the use of biomass-derived catalysts as substitutes to the traditional fossil based catalytic systems. The use of biomass as a resource is an advantage because it offers a low cost, abundant and less environmentally damaging alternative to petroleum that can effectively catalyze chemical reactions. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive review of biomass resources, methods for synthesizing biomass derived catalysts, methods used to characterize biomass derived catalysts and mechanisms involved in biomass derived catalysts that are used in various organic transformations including oxidations, reductions, C-C bond forming reactions, esterification’s and photocatalytic reactions. In addition to highlighting challenges associated with biomass derived catalysts, recyclability, advantages related to environmental issues and future research areas will be emphasized to show how biomass derived catalysts are a key component in the development of green chemistry and sustainable chemical production practices.