Production of long-chain hydrocarbon biofuels from biomass-derived platform chemicals: Catalytic approaches and challenges

The rapid decrease of easily accessible fossil fuels has forced the research community to search for an alternative energy source. In this regard, lignocellulosic biomass can be an excellent source of renewable carbon-neutral fuels because of its abundance and no competing issues with food crops. Among the different classes of biofuels reported to date, long-chain hydrocarbons are of special interest because they have fuel properties similar to the existing fossil fuels-based transportation fuels. This chapter discusses the recent development of the production strategies of hydrocarbon biofuels from biomass-derived feedstocks. Two main reactions associated with this transformation, namely, C–C bond formation and hydrodeoxygenation, are discussed in this chapter. The catalyst development, reactor configuration, and mechanistic aspects of these reactions are covered in detail. Catalytic features required for each type of reaction are discussed to provide guidance for designing better catalysts. The specific future challenges are also listed with their probable solutions.