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Electrochemical Coupling of Biomass‐Derived Acids: New C 8 Platforms for Renewable Polymers and Fuels
Author(s) -
Wu Linglin,
Mascal Mark,
Farmer Thomas J.,
Arnaud Sacha Pérocheau,
Wong Chang MariaAngelica
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201601271
Subject(s) - chemistry , biomass (ecology) , levulinic acid , organic chemistry , aldol condensation , renewable fuels , condensation polymer , raw material , cellulosic ethanol , cellulose , polymer , catalysis , fossil fuel , oceanography , geology
Electrolysis of biomass‐derived carbonyl compounds is an alternative to condensation chemistry for supplying products with chain length >C 6 for biofuels and renewable materials production. Kolbe coupling of biomass‐derived levulinic acid is used to obtain 2,7‐octanedione, a new platform molecule only two low process‐intensity steps removed from raw biomass. Hydrogenation to 2,7‐octanediol provides a chiral secondary diol largely unknown to polymer chemistry, whereas intramolecular aldol condensation followed by hydrogenation yields branched cycloalkanes suitable for use as high‐octane, cellulosic gasoline. Analogous electrolysis of an itaconic acid‐derived methylsuccinic monoester yields a chiral 2,5‐dimethyladipic acid diester, another underutilized monomer owing to lack of availability.