Importance of Monosaccharide Isomerization

The isomerization of aldose to ketose is a vital industrial reaction, which is widely applied in food and medical industries, such as the production of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) by glucose converting into fructose. Furthermore, the isomerization reaction is also suitable for the extraction of various chemicals and dyes from sugars, such as the production of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), an important industrial raw material, from glucose. HMF can be further processed into 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a substitute for the petrochemical derivative terephthalic acid, which is used to synthesize polymers with high value and has great market development potential.

Fig.1 The production process of HMF from glucose raw material. (Liu, et al. 2021)

Why Do We Prefer Chemo-Catalytic Isomerization?

Although the enzymatically catalyzed glucose isomerization to produce fructose has been relatively mature in industrial production, the cost is extremely expensive, and the high requirement for product purity further increases the production cost. In addition, the enzyme is very sensitive to temperature, pH value, and other parameters, and the enzymatic reaction takes a long time or is limited by the equilibrium concentration of fructose.

Fig.2 Comparison of enzymatic-catalytic isomerization and chemo-catalytic isomerization. (CD BioGlyco)

Our Services

We possess comprehensive techniques in monosaccharide manufacture. At CD BioGlyco, you will find any strategies you want. In our Monosaccharide Manufacture Service via chemically catalytic isomerization technology, you can choose different catalytic strategies.

• Homogeneous chemo-catalysis service
• Homogeneous base catalysis: Alkali-catalyzed glucose isomerization is carried out by a proton transfer mechanism. Water-soluble bases (sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), etc.), borate (disodium tetraborate (Na₂B₄O₇)), sodium aluminate (NaAlO₂), alkylamine (triethylamine, morpholine, piperazine, ethylenediamine), etc. are common base catalysts. In addition, the basic amino acids can be used as green organic base catalysts.

Fig.3 Mechanism of base-catalytic isomerization of glucose. (Liu, et al., 2021)

• Homogeneous acid catalysis: Acid-catalyzed glucose isomerization uses Lewis acid such as metal chloride (chromium trichloride (CrCl₃), strontium tetrachloride (SnCl₄), aluminum chloride (AlCl₃), etc.).

Fig.4 Mechanism of acid-catalytic isomerization of glucose. (Liu, et al., 2021)

• Heterogeneous chemo-catalysis service: The heterogeneous system is easily separate, and the catalysts can be easily reused and recycled, with high hydrothermal stability and a long lifetime.
• Solid base catalysts: Resin, metal oxides and metal-containing alkali, hydrotalcite, etc. are usual catalysts.
• Solid acid catalysts: Sn-beta molecular sieve and metal-organic frameworks are commonly used.

Applications

• Efficient production of fructose
• Production of important industrial raw materials (HMF) and dyes
• Production of renewable terephthalic acid replacement material FDCA

Highlights

• Alternative chemo-catalytic isomerization strategies: Homogeneous catalysis and heterogeneous catalysis
• A variety of novel catalytic reagents: Acid and base catalyst
• Green catalysts for sustainable development: Basic amino acids
• Rigorous and controllable process parameters

CD BioGlyco is devoted to providing a unique One-Stop Solution for Carbohydrate Manufacture. We are dedicated to offering quality service and satisfactory products with a customer-centric philosophy. If you are interested in our technologies and services, please feel free to contact us for detailed information.

• Chemical Conversion