A new chemoselective (enzymatic desymmetrization/Ru-catalyzed C-H activation) sequence to obtain differently substituted furans from the largely available 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) was developed. Series of di- and trisubstituted furans were prepared in very good yields and excellent chemoselectivity. This study discloses a new approach towards valorization of the furanics platform through the use of FDCA as a stable intermediate, thus circumventing the chemical instability of the parent 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.
Keywords: C−H activation; biocatalysis; biomass; continuous flow; furanic platform.
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