Recent progresses in the application of cellulose, starch, alginate, gum, pectin, chitin and chitosan based (nano)catalysts in sustainable and selective oxidation reactions: A review

Abstract

Exploitation of polymers as effective starting materials to produce various valuable catalysts is attracting the attention of industrial and academic researchers. Moreover, among all polymers, natural polysaccharides such as cellulose, starch, alginate, gum, pectin, chitin and chitosan have drawn the most attention in recent years due to their unique structural features and important potential applications. A lot of studies have been performed on the synthesis of polysaccharide based (nano)catalysts and their application in chemical transformations. The present review provides recent developments on polysaccharides as green resources for the production of (nano)catalysts. Herein, the application of polysaccharide based (nano)catalysts derived from different organisms, plants or animals in oxidative transformations has been reviewed. These compounds can be used as economical and recyclable catalytic materials for various oxidation reactions including oxidation of alcohols, phenols, sulfides etc. The challenges in the application of polysaccharide based (nano)catalysts have also been discussed.

Keywords: Heterogeneous catalyst; Natural polysaccharides; Oxidation reactions; Selective; Sustainable.