Hydrocarbons and Similar Materials from Sugars

FIGURE 16.3 Synthesis from fructose of dimethylfuran, an organooxygen compound with many of the desirable properties of petroleum hydroearbons fructose is a carbohydrate produced in abundance by plants. 

Aqueous layer with dissolved sugar and suspended biological catalyst  

FIGURE 16.4 A fermentation process for the production of hydrocarbons and other organics by biochemically catalyzed reaction of simple sugars. 

Assuming that it works well on a commercial scale, the aforementioned process for direct biosynthesis of hydrocarbons represents the best of green chemical production. It uses a renewable feedstock that can be produced in large quantities photosynthetically. It takes place under ambient conditions of temperature and pressure with little or no input of external energy. It does not require metal catalysts and does not produce waste by-products. The diesel fuel produced is claimed to be ultraclean and does not contain potentially pollutant or toxic benzene, sulfur, and the heavy metals that can cause problems in petroleum-based fuels. 

A finely divided form of cellulose called microcrystalline cellulose is produced by appropriate physical and chemical processing of cellulose. This material has many uses in foods in which it imparts smoothness, stability, and a quality of thickness. Microcrystalline cellulose is also used in pharmaceutical preparations and cosmetics. When added to food, indigestible cellulose contributes bulk and retains moisture. 

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