Bifunctional Catalysts for Conversion of 2,3-Butanediol to Butene

This paper describes the catalytic conversion of 2,3-butanediol to butene, a key reaction for converting biomass-derived sugars to hydrocarbon fuels. The reaction of 2,3-butanediol and hydrogen was studied on a bifunctional catalyst (Cu/ZSM-5). C4 hydrocarbons could be produced, but dehydration products were produce in large amounts.