Green Sustainable Process for Chemical and Environmental Engineering and Science

Ionic Liquids as Green Solvents

Abdullah M. Asiri, Suvardhan Kanchi, Inamuddin, Dr. Inamuddin, Abdullah M. Ahmed Asiri

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9780128173862
• eBook ISBN: 9780128173879
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Green Sustainable Process for Chemical and Environmental Engineering and Science: Ionic Liquids as Green Solvents discusses the application of ionic liquids as environment-friendly solvents in the extraction, separation and purification of organic and inorganic compounds, as reaction media in biochemical and chemical reactions and catalysis, and in green organic and drug syntheses. It covers various industrial applications, from polymer synthesis, to biodiesel and lubrication, paint and pigments, water softening and dry-cleaning, ore refining, the nuclear industry, aerogels, fuel cells, and more. Specific sections cover hydrogenation, oxidation, hydroformylation, acylation, acetylation, dimerization, oligomerization, photochemical and cleavage of ethers reactions. The book's main emphasis lies in the extraction and separation of biomolecules, vitamins, proteins, enzymes, and DNA using ionic liquids as green solvents. High-performance thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography are also discussed. - Presents ionic liquids as an alternative to conventional solvents - Covers organic and drug synthesis using ionic liquids as a solvent - Outlines industrial product development using ionic liquid as a solvent - Includes methods for separation, purification and extraction of biomolecules - Outlines the use of ionic liquids in water, energy and environmental applications

Chapter 1

Conversion of biomass to chemicals using ionic liquids

Amir Sada Khan^a; Zakaria Man^b; Asma Nasrullah^c; Zahoor Ullah^d; Nawshad Muhammad^e; Abdur Rahim^e; Azmi Bustam^b; Alamin Idris^{b a} Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology, Bannu, Pakistan
^b Department of Chemical Engineering, Centre of Research in Ionic Liquids, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Perak, Malaysia
^c Fundamental & Applied Sciences Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Perak, Malaysia
^d Department of Chemistry, Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta, Pakistan
^e Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Pakistan

Abstract

From the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to platform chemicals using ionic liquids (ILs), it was concluded that ILs have dual functions and can be used as catalyst and solvent for the synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and levulinic acid (LA) from lignocellulosic biomass. The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to chemicals depends upon the nature of feedstocks and structure of ILs. The yield of 5-HMF and LA from fructose and glucose is higher than cellulose and lignocellulose. Among the various available ILs, the acidic ionic liquids (AILs) such as [C₃SO₃Hmim][HSO₄], [C₄SO₃Hmim][HSO₄], [C₃SO₃Hmim][CH₃SO₃], [C₃SO₃Hmim][Cl], [C₃SO₃Hmim][CF₃SO₃], and [C₃SO₃HPy][HSO₄] showed better yield of 5-HMF and LA. The imidazolium-based ILs that contain acidic functional group such HSO₄ and Cl anion resulted in higher yield of LA and 5-5-HMF, respectively. Therefore it is essential to synthesize such ILs that have acidic functional group in their structure for the direct conversion of cellulose and lignocellulosic biomass to 5-HMF and LA.

Keywords

Ionic liquids; 5-HMF; Biomass; Levulinic acid; Catalyst

1 Introduction

Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are considered as a major source of energy and a large variety of chemicals and synthetic products nowadays. Their processing is mainly done via combustion to generate energy for transportation and electricity that is crucial for the development of human civilization [1]. Oil, coal, and natural gas are the three most utilized fossil fuels in the industries, which account for 87% energy global consumption in 2011 [2,3] (Fig. 1). The demand for the production of value-added chemicals and fuels from these nonrenewable resources is ever increasing day by day, whereas on the other hand, the resources of fossil fuel are diminishing. In 2008 the worldwide demand for energy from liquid fuel was 85.7 million barrels per day, which was predicted to increase to 97.6 and 116 million barrels per day in 2020 and 2030, respectively [1]. If the crude oils are consumed at this present rate, then it is only enough for another 50 years [4].

Fig. 1 Distribution of global consumption of energy in 2011 [3].

Besides shrinkage of fossil fuel resources due to rise in world population, the conventional energy resources such as oil, natural gas, and coal also pose a threat to our ecosystem by emitting hazardous gases and fly ash particulates when combusted [5,6]. The release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (NO_x), and sulfur oxide (SO_x) as fossil fuel combustion by-products, can cause climate change, which is considered as one of the most severe and challenging issues for humankind. Various types of chemicals/petrochemicals are also produced from oil refinery products; however, only about 4% of oil is utilized for the production of chemicals and plastics.

Thus, to minimize these issues, an alternative or a substitute production chain is essential. The environmental issues and the ever increasing demand for energy and chemicals can be made sustainable by shifting from nonrenewable to renewable resources. In the last few years, the global demands for energy have significantly grown, increasing the use of renewable and sustainable energy resources (i.e., biomass, wind, thermal, hydro, and solar energy source) more advantageous. Among the available energy resources, lignocellulosic biomass is documented as a sustainable and renewable source for the production of various value-added chemicals and fuel products. Extensive research is currently carried out to make the conversion of cellulose and lignocellulose to useful fuels and chemicals easier. The conversion of biomass to various fuel products and value-added chemicals will considerably decrease our dependence on nonrenewable resources and will help to reduce the net emission of carbon dioxide to atmosphere. In the last few decades, the utilization of sustainable and renewable biomass resources as feedstock for various fuel products and value-added chemicals became of great interest to both academia and industry.

2 Biomass as a renewable resource of chemicals

With the growing demand for environment...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Contributors
• Chapter 1: Conversion of biomass to chemicals using ionic liquids
• Chapter 2: Ionic liquids for enzyme-catalyzed production of biodiesel
• Chapter 3: Organic synthesis on ionic liquid support: A new strategy for the liquid-phase organic synthesis (LPOS)
• Chapter 4: Separation of volatile organic compounds by using immobilized ionic liquids
• Chapter 5: Deep eutectic solvents
• Chapter 6: Ionic liquids as scavenger
• Chapter 7: Recent developments in ionic liquid-based electrolytes for energy storage supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries
• Chapter 8: Recent insights on solubility and stability of biomolecules in ionic liquid
• Chapter 9: Ionic liquid-based membranes for water softening
• Chapter 10: Ionic liquids in gas sensors and biosensors
• Chapter 11: Ionic liquids as gas sensors and biosensors
• Chapter 12: Imidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquids for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide
• Chapter 13: Ionic liquid based electrochemical sensors and their applications
• Index