Highly Efficient Conversion of Terpenoids to High Density Bio- Jet Fuels

The market demand for renewable aviation fuels is consistently increasing due to the growing concerns about global climate change. Bio- jet fuels produced from hydro-treating vegetable oils or Fischer–Tropsch synthesis of bio- syngas are mainly straight chain alkanes with low octane numbers and volumetric densities and cannot meet the specification of petroleum based jet fuels. Herein, we develop the novel process to upgrade biomass derived terpenoids, with various cyclic hydrocarbon structures, e.g., 1,8-cineole, to produce cycloalkanes with high thermal stabilities, energy densities, and octane numbers, which can be blended to produce high-quality bio- jet fuels. We found that the effective deoxygenation of 1,8-cineole underwent three main steps: C-O ring opening, dehydration, and hydrogenation. We have designed multi-functional catalytic systems for the conversion of terpenoids to cyclic alkanes in a “one-pot” process. The conversion of monoterpenoid reached ~100% with ~100% selectivity to cycloalkanes.