Sustainable hydrogen production & storage cycle with dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene™): Hydrogen fixing and release based on alcoholic fermentation with Baker's yeast and dehydrogenation

Hydrogen has received attention as a next-generation renewable energy source; accordingly, sustainable production and safe transportation are crucial for its effective utilization. In this study, we focused on dihydrolevoglucosenone (CyreneTM), which was a biodegradable ketone derived from cellulose, as a renewable organic hydride. Furthermore, hydrogenation using alcoholic fermentation with baker's yeast was proposed for a novel hydrogen storage, wherein water and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide serve as hydrogen sources. CyreneTM was hydrogenated with baker's yeast to produce 1,6-anhydro-3,4-dideoxy-β-D-threo-hexopyranose (Cyrene-OH). Cyrene-OH stored hydrogen via chemical bonding, and was dehydrogenated by warming in the presence of an iridium complex catalyst to produce hydrogen gas and reproduce CyreneTM. Therefore, this study demonstrated a new sustainable and renewable hydrogen gas production and storage cycle. This cycle, which uses readily available CyreneTM and baker's yeast, enables hydrogen energy production and storage in isolated areas and should contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).