Catalysis Science & Technology MINIREVIEW Review of catalytic systems and thermodynamics for the Guerbet condensation reaction and Cite this: Catal. Sci. Technol.,2015, 5,3876 challenges for biomass valorization Dries Gabriëls,a Willinton Yesid Hernández,b Bert Sels,*a Pascal Van Der Voort*b and An Verberckmoes*c The Guerbet condensation reaction is an alcohol coupling reaction that has been known for more than a century. Because of the increasing availability of bio-based alcohol feedstock, this reaction is of growing importance and interest in terms of value chains of renewable chemical and biofuel production. Due to the specific branching pattern of the alcohol products, the Guerbet reaction has many interesting applica- Received 10th March 2015, tions. In comparison to their linear isomers, branched-chain Guerbet alcohols have extremely low melting Accepted 17th May 2015 points and excellent fluidity. This review provides thermodynamic insights and unravels the various mecha- nistic steps involved. A comprehensive overview of the homogeneous, heterogeneous and combined DOI: 10.1039/c5cy00359h homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic systems described in published reports and patents is also www.rsc.org/catalysis given. Technological considerations, challenges and perspectives for the Guerbet chemistry are discussed. a Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis (COK), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark 1. General introduction Arenberg 23, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium. E-mail:
[email protected] 1.1 Guerbet reaction b Center for Ordered Materials, Organometallics & Catalysis (COMOC), Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan The Guerbet reaction, as described in 1899 in the French 281-S3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. E-mail:
[email protected] journal Comptes Rendus,1 was named after its inventor Marcel c Industrial Catalysis and Adsorption Technology (INCAT), Department of Guerbet.