A RENEWABLE CATALYST FOR A RENEWABLE CHEMICAL: GRAM-SCALE CONVERSION OF FURFURAL TO FURFURYL ALCOHOL BY THE CARROT (Daucus carota)

Abstract

The bioconversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol using only carrot bits in water at room temperature and ambient pressure is presented. This reaction led to the bioreduction of furfural with 99% conversion and 99% selectivity to an alcohol. This simple and "fully" green process may represent an alternative to classic hydrogenation processes. Also, without work-up procedure, we demonstrate the aqueous solution can be submitted to microwave irradiation to obtain 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone.

(Chemo)biocatalytic Upgrading of Biobased Furanic Platforms to Chemicals, Fuels, and Materials: A Comprehensive Review

“…In addition, several groups demonstrated the feasibility of the production of FAL and BHMF using plant tissues in the absence of cosubstrate. − Although good yields were obtained in some cases, the substrate concentrations tested were very low, and the catalytic efficiencies remained poor even at high catalyst loadings. Omori and co-workers reported the one-pot, two-step synthesis of 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone (HCP) from furfural via carrot-catalyzed reduction of furfural and catalyst-free Piancatelli rearrangement under microwave irradiation, with 72% isolated yield (Scheme ).…”

“…Omori and co-workers reported the one-pot, two-step synthesis of 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone (HCP) from furfural via carrot-catalyzed reduction of furfural and catalyst-free Piancatelli rearrangement under microwave irradiation, with 72% isolated yield (Scheme 18). 214 From an economic perspective, direct access to FAL and BHMF from inexpensive lignocellulosic biomass is highly interesting. The He group described the one-pot, two-step chemobiocatalytic synthesis of FAL and BHMF from biomass via sequential solid acid-or DESs-catalyzed (hydrolysis and) dehydration of biomass and whole-cell catalytic reduction of biobased furans.…”