Valeric Biofuels: A Platform of Cellulosic Transportation Fuels

Fueling the future: Valeric esters can be produced by acid hydrolysis of lignocellulose to levulinic acid, followed by hydrogenation to valeric acid and its subsequent esterification (see scheme). Valeric biofuels are fully compatible for blending with gasoline or diesel, and have passed a road trial of 250 000 km. At the beginning of the 21st century mankind is facing an energy challenge as a consequence of the world’s increasing energy demand, the depletion of “easy” oil and gas fields, and the impact of CO2 emissions on the Earth’s climate (“three hard truths”).1 Much research is therefore being devoted to the exploration and development of new, carbon-lean energy sources. These include biofuels, which are…