Catalytic conversion of cellulose-based biomass and glycerol to lactic acid

Catalytic transformation of cellulose into value-added chemicals is of great importance for utilization of renewable and abundant biomass. Due to the high oxygen content, cellulose serves as an ideal candidate for the production of oxygenates, in particular lactic acid which is a versatile building block in chemical industry. The efficient conversion of cellulose to lactic acid generally requires selective activation of specific C-O and C-C bonds, and therefore multifunctional catalysts that combine several key reactions including hydrolysis, isomerization and retro-aldol fragmentation are highly desirable. This review article highlights the recently developed catalytic systems and catalysts for the selective transformation of cellulose and cellulose-derived carbohydrates into lactic acid, lactates and/or its esters. Emphases will be put on the reaction mechanism and key factors that exert effects on the catalytic performances. In addition, the catalytic transformation of glycerol, a C3 compound over-supplied from biodiesel industry, will also be surveyed. Recent advances in the development of new catalysts or strategies are analyzed and discussed to gain insight into the transformation of C3 compound to lactic acid.