Furfural Recovery from Kenaf Using High-Pressure CO2 for 1,4-Butanediol Production

This study aimed to propose a method for producing 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) from inedible lignocellulosic biomass (e.g., kenaf). The process involved high-pressure CO2-catalyzed hydrolysis and dehydration to obtain furfural from kenaf and the conversion of furfural into 1,4-BDO. In the furfural production process, the yield of furfural increased with increasing temperature and reaction time, but a further increase in reaction time led to the formation of unwanted byproducts such as humins. The highest furfural yield (based on kenaf) was 3.78 mg g(-1) at 220 degrees C with a 10-min reaction time. Further, furfural can be converted to 1,4-BDO using a bifunctional Pt/TiO2-ZrO2 catalyst. The 1,4-BDO yield (based on kenaf) achieved potentially with the Pt/TiO2-ZrO2 catalytic system was 3.22 mg g(-1). The sequential conversion of kenaf biomass to valuable chemicals showcases a sustainable approach, aligning with global efforts toward reduced environmental impact.