Some insight into the role of different copper species as acids in cellulose deconstruction

Supported copper catalysts have been tested in cellulose hydrolysis and compared with the corresponding bare supports. Selectivity to glucose was improved when the metallic phase was formed by very well dispersed CuO that acted as a Lewis acid. On the contrary, when the metal was present as ionic species as in silica alumina supported systems, an increase in both conversion and selectivity to lactic acid was observed due to the combination of Lewis and Brønsted acidic sites. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.