Protection Strategies for the Conversion of Biobased Furanics to Chemical Building Blocks
Ferdy J. A. G. Coumans, Zhanna Overchenko, Jan J. Wiesfeld, Nikolay Kosinov, Kiyotaka Nakajima, Emiel J. M. Hensen
Abstract
In recent years, the urgency to replace fossil-based resources by renewablebiomass for obtaining chemical building blocks has only increased. Carbohydrate-derivedfuranic compounds are regarded as promising platforms for a renewable value chain. Thehigh reactivity of such biobased intermediates requires the development of novel catalyticchemistry to enhance product yield. The protection of reactive functional groupsprovides a way to improve the product selectivity. Such protection strategies are commonpractice in the synthesis offine chemicals and pharmaceuticals but are not fully exploredfor the conversion of furanic compounds. In this perspective, several examples ofprotection strategies focusing on the selective passivation of 5-HMF are discussed.Formation and removal of these protection groups are highlighted as well as theapplication of the neutralized 5-HMF in further processing. A guide for selecting theappropriate protection strategy depending on the targeted chemistry and operatingconditions is provided.