Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Perfluorinated Superacid Polymers: A Family of Bifunctional Catalysts for the Selective, One-Pot Conversion of Vegetable Substrates in Water

We describe the rational design of a new versatile family of bifunctional catalytic materials based on the combination of supported metal nanoparticles (Pd, Rh, Ru) and the superacid, perfluorinated Aquivion (R) PFSA polymer. The heterogeneous catalysts were tested in the multi-step valorisation of representative plant derivatives to high-added-value chemicals. Particularly, the conversion of (+)-citronellal to (-)-menthol and levulinic acid to -valerolactone was achieved in one pot and in one stage in the water phase and shows full selectivity at a high conversion level under mild reaction conditions. The results are discussed in terms of the catalyst micro-structure.