Pt nanoparticles supported on Nb-modified TiO2 as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of cellulose to light bioalcohols.

Nb-modified anatase-supported Pt nanoparticles were synthesized for the efficient conversion of cellulose to light bioalcohols. Characterization confirmed the presence of SMSIs in the catalysts, offering adjacent hydrogenation sites, Brønsted and Lewis acid sites. Treating the catalysts in humid air enhanced the acidic concentration, accelerating the key step during the reaction.

Selective conversion of acetone to mesitylene over tantalum phosphate catalysts.

We report the synthesis of a tantalum phosphate catalyst with abundant strong acid sites, which is very active for the catalytic conversion of acetone into mesitylene. Characterizations, kinetic studies, and theoretical results show a relationship between the acidic sites and catalytic performance in this reaction.