Integrated Conversion of Cellulose to High-Density Aviation Fuel

The catalytic conversion of renewable lignocellulose to transportation fuels is crucial to establish energy security and mitigate CO2 emissions. Here, we describe an effective and integrated strategy for the production of high-density aviation fuel with cellulose, an abundant and inedible raw biomass. First, cellulose was selectively converted to 2,5-hexanedione in a separation yield of 71.4%. Subsequently, a mixture of C12 and C18 branched polycycloalkanes was directly obtained in a carbon yield of 74.6% by the aldol condensation-hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation reaction of 2,5-hexanedione and hydrogen over a dual-bed catalyst system. The polycycloalkane mixture obtained by this process has high density (0.88 g mL−1) and low freezing point (225 K). In real application, they can be used as advanced aviation fuel or additives to improve the volumetric heat values of conventional aviation fuels.