Sustainable Chemicals: A Brief Survey of the Furans

Abstract

Whether it is in the textiles, paints and coatings, energy sector, polymers, plastics, woods, sugar chemistry, pharmacy, aerospace and the automotive industries, the multiplicity of applications of furans and their derivatives, have made steady, impressive, and progressive impacts over the last 9 decades. After World War II, due to the shift in focus towards the petroleum-based chemical feedstocks, research, and development studies of these impressive class of lignocellulosic-derived chemicals, slowed down markedly. The trend, however, has reversed remarkably in recent time, due to the pursuit for "green" and sustainable chemical feedstocks, coupled with the increasing concerns over climate change, volatile oil prices and the attendant undesirable environmental issues, associated with fossil hydrocarbons. Chemicals obtained from "green" inedible lignocellulosic biomass, such as: the furans and their derivatives, ranks amongst the most promising, sustainable, and industrially applicable alternatives to various petroleum-derived chemicals; further offering an enormous assortment of unique compounds/materials, and properties analogous to and even exceeding those derived from fossil hydrocarbons. This article reviews selected progresses, so far made, in the field of furans and its derivatives and their application portfolios; while recognising the immense contributions of Peters and Dunlop, who in no small measures, advanced the furan chemical industry during their research efforts at the Oat Hull Research Centre at the Quaker Oats Company, Cedar Rapids, USA.

Production and characterization of bio-oils from fast pyrolysis of tobacco processing wastes in an ablative reactor under vacuum

“…In particular, methyl Isobutyl ketone was the main component at 450˚C, reaching 5.7%. The furan structure contains a heterocycle of four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom; it primarily results from hemicellulose decomposition and is probably produced from hexoses [44,45]. The furan yield, including furfural decreased with increasing temperature similarly [46].…”

Bamboos: From Bioresource to Sustainable Materials and Chemicals

“…Iroegbu et al [34] noted that the complex hetero-matrix constituents of lignocellulosic biomass comprising primarily of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose affords an array of possible derivative chemicals and fuels. It was also suggested that if efforts (including research, funding, and support) commensurate to those that have sustained fossil-based chemistry were redirected into biobased-chemistry, it would significantly accelerate the resolution of current sustainability challenges [34].…”

“…Iroegbu et al [34] noted that the complex hetero-matrix constituents of lignocellulosic biomass comprising primarily of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose affords an array of possible derivative chemicals and fuels. It was also suggested that if efforts (including research, funding, and support) commensurate to those that have sustained fossil-based chemistry were redirected into biobased-chemistry, it would significantly accelerate the resolution of current sustainability challenges [34]. Moreover, as the approximate chemical constituents of bamboos are comparable to those of traditional woods, with the exception of bamboos' substantial alkaline extracts, ash, and silica components [149], bamboos offer a renewable and sustainable alternative for the augmentation of derivable lignocellulosic biomass materials, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other extractable constituents [90].…”

“…Taking the example of lignocellulosic biomass, Iroegbu et al [30] noted that under 4% of the over 200 billion tons of lignocellulosic biomass produced each year is being harnessed by mankind. Coupled with the indisputable fact that the urgency for rethinking our fossil-hydrocarbon dominated world cannot be overemphasized [31][32][33][34], it has become imperative to reflect assiduously on the promise that green vegetation (e.g., lignocellulosic biomass) holds as a sustainable resource for materials, fuels, and chemicals.…”

Impact of Deuteration and Temperature on Furan Ring Dynamics

“…Furan is a cyclic aromatic ether found in cigarette smoke and used in the production of resins [ 11 ] and some agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Obtaining furan from “green” inedible lignocellulosic biomass is one of the promising sustainable, and industrially applicable alternatives to various petroleum-derived chemicals [ 12 , 13 ]. Recently, investigations on the presence of furan in coffee, juices, soups, and canned fruits or vegetables has gained widespread attention [ 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”