Catalytic Conversion of Glucose and Chlorella sp. into Furans in the Presence of Niobium Oxide

A series of Nb2O5 solid catalysts have been prepared to be used for the catalytic dehydration of glucose and sugars from algae Chlorella sp. into added value furans. The glucose transformation gave rise to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). Chlorella sp. was used in the same catalytic conditions to be valorised to furans. By preliminary studies we concluded that the algae aqueous suspension needed a previous treatment in the presence of SiO2 pellets to liberate the carbohydrates that in the catalytic reaction in the presence of Nb2O5 materials gave rise 5-HMF and furfural. The best operative conditions and Nb2O5 catalysts were individuated. The most performant Nb2O5 catalyst also showed an excellent reusability without deactivation. The selectivity to furans was related to the acidity of the solid used as catalyst.