Starbon® Supported Palladium-Rhenium Oxide Catalysts for the Sustainable Synthesis of Bio-based Adipic Acid

The sustainable production of bio-based adipic acid, a precursor to nylon 6,6 represents one of many ongoing challenges within green chemistry, circular manufacturing and progress towards the bioeconomy. As a key commodity chemical used globally, the supply of adipic acid remains important, however present manufacturing routes are both environmentally damaging and non-renewable. The work presented in this thesis aimed to address a central question around the feasibility of a catalytic route to adipic acid via the hydrodeoxygenation of glucaric acid, facilitated by a heterogeneous, Starbon® supported catalyst to enable progress toward a sustainable chemical production route.