We identify a glycolytic pathway through 3-deoxyglucosone using Lewis acid catalysts resulting in the formation of bio-based monomers.

C5-Sugars form a new bio-monomer (trans-2,5-dihydroxy-3-pentenoic acid methyl ester), which can undergo enzymatic copolymerization with E6-HH to form multifunctional polymers.

The future role of biomass-derived chemicals relies on the formation of diverse functional monomers in high yields from carbohydrates. Recently, it has become clear that a series of α-hydroxy acids, esters, and lactones can be formed from carbohydrates in alcohol and water solvents using tin-containing catalysts such as Sn-Beta. These compounds are potential building blocks for polyesters bearing additional olefin and alcohol functionalities. An NMR approach was used to identify, quantify, and optimize the formation of these building blocks in the Sn-Beta-catalyzed transformation of abundant carbohydrates. Record yields of the target molecules can be achieved by obstructing competing reactions through solvent selection.

Figure 1. Structures of the products in the Sn-Beta-catalyzed conversion of commoncarbohydrates, which include ML, THM,D PM, MVG, and assorted 3DE and 3DL. The Rg roupo f3 DE and 3DL may be H, CH 2 OH, or CH(OH)-CH 2 OH for tetroses, pentoses,orh exoses,r espectively.[a] S.