Gold Catalysts for the Selective Oxidation of Biomass-Derived Products

Biomass constitutes a renewable source for new chemical platforms. Among other processes the catalytic ones represent a green alternative when active and selective catalysts can be developed. In this paper, applications of gold and gold-based catalysts have been reviewed in the field of the selective oxidations. Indeed, from the discovery of the peculiarity of gold as catalytic material, the liquid phase oxidations have been differently viewed. Three important biomass-derived molecules, namely glucose, hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) and glycerol have been considered as precursors for products of industrial interest where gold catalysts have played an important role. This review starts from the research on monometallic gold catalysts which have been explored initially and then look at gold as modifier of other metal catalyst. This latter field is still in evolution and probably needs to be look at in the future.