From Lignocellulose to Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Innovative Synthesis through Friedel–Crafts Alkylation and Hydrodeoxygenation
Hannes Latine, Dario Vangestel, Bruno Pandalone, Deepak Raikwar, Katelijne Lagae, Bert F. Sels
Abstract
To address the aviation sector's growing carbon footprint, this study presents a novel route for producing sustainable aviation fuel precursors via acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation of wood-derived lignin monomers with furfuryl alcohol. Using guaiacol as a model compound, key catalytic requirements were investigated in batch mode. Although heterogeneous zeolites showed initial promise, pore blocking by oligomerized furfuryl alcohol limited performance, leading to the selection of para-toluenesulfonic acid as an effective homogeneous catalyst. A fed-batch strategy was employed to suppress oligomerization by controlling furfuryl alcohol concentration. The resulting alkylated products, structurally aligned with conventional kerosene, were further upgraded via metal-catalyzed hydrodeoxygenation, achieving final overall yields up to 92 C%.