Advances in catalytic decarboxylation of bioderived fatty acids to diesel-range alkanes

Biodiesel is an important alternative fuel as far as sustainability and environmental issues are concerned. The decarboxylation of bioderived fatty acids is receiving great attention for green diesel production, with resulting C1-shortened alkanes among the diesel-range alkanes typically existing in petroleum diesel. Alkane-containing green diesel possesses significant advantages including high caloric value, irreversibility of the production reaction and the existence in liquid form up to C17 alkanes. The decarboxylation approach has a significant potential in taking a central role in transformation of bioderived fatty acids into green diesel. In the present review, it aims at discussing the progress on both chemo- and bio-catalytic decarboxylation reactions and the pros and cons of their application for green fuel synthesis. Particularly, the mild biocatalytic decarboxylation reactions so far have not been included in reviews focusing on green diesel production.