Role of ion‐exchange resins as catalyst in the reaction‐network of transformation of biomass into biofuels

The use of acidic ion exchange resins in the transformation of biomass into biofuels is revised and their potential application is presented. Relationships between morphology and structure of resins and their catalytic activity for some existing reactions of the transformation network from sugars to biofuels are observed. In the synthesis of 5‐hydroxymethyfurfural and levulinic acid, catalytic activity of resins increases when the crosslinking content is decreased for both macroreticular and gel‐type resins. Gel‐type resins with low crosslinking were found to be the most suitable resins for direct esterification of levulinic acid with linear alcohols. However, for the alcoholysis of furfuryl alcohol, macroreticular resins are better than gel‐type ones. Deactivation probably due to humins formation is the main drawback for industrial application. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry