Farrokh, et al (2024) Catalytic Application of BiocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More Functionalized Copper-l-histidine for the Chemo and Homoselective Conversion of Cyanides to Amides and Reduction of Nitroarenes to anilines. ACS Omega. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c08465

Researchers have developed a novel biochar-based catalyst from olive mill pomace, an agricultural waste, offering a sustainable alternative for chemical reactions commonly used in industry. This material, functionalized with L-histidine and combined with copper, demonstrates high efficiency in two critical reactions: reducing nitroarenes to anilines and converting nitriles to amides.

The study highlights the environmental and economic benefits of this catalyst. Biochar, a porous carbon-rich material, was produced through pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More of olive pomace. By incorporating the amino acid L-histidine and copper, the catalyst achieves selective and efficient transformations under mild conditions. It can also be easily recovered and reused up to four times without significant loss of activity, making it a practical choice for industrial processes.

Key features of this catalyst include its thermal stability, environmental friendliness, and compatibility with green solvents like water. The catalyst supports chemoselective reactions, targeting specific functional groups without affecting others, and homoselective reactions, modifying only one of multiple identical groups. These capabilities are particularly valuable in the production of pharmaceuticals, dyes, and polymers.

This work underscores the potential of renewable materials to address environmental challenges while meeting industrial needs. The catalyst represents a step forward in sustainable chemistry, aligning with global efforts to reduce waste and reliance on toxic or rare materials.