Shell biorefineries: mixed biofuel production from chitin

Abstract

Bioenergy is a key strategy for sustainability, yet the potential for biofuel production from chitin is under-exploited. Here, we report the cleavage of the inherently inert σ-type C–C bonds in chitin under the condition of initially breaking the unstable C–O bonds. Mechanistic studies indicate that by regulating the valence state of Ru and the interaction between RuO_x and AC-HNO₃-melamine, the ability of Ru nanoparticles to cleave C–C and C–O bonds can be controlled. One-pot sequential hydrogenolysis of chitin with RuO_x/AC-HNO₃-melamine resulted in a mixed alcohol yield 1.66 times that of commercial Ru/C. A mixed alcohol yield of 16.8% was achieved using raw chitin and green process conditions. We expanded the substrate range to include chitosan, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and glucosamine. This work demonstrates the potential of shell biorefinery to produce affordable clean energy.