Hybrid homogeneous/heterogeneous relay catalysis for efficient synthesis of 5-aminomethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid from HMF.

Here we present a hybrid catalytic pathway for efficient synthesis of 5-aminomethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (AMFC), a bio-based nylon-6 analogue monomer, from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). This method combines homogeneous-catalyzed selective oxidation of HMF to 5-formyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (FFCA) with heterogeneous-catalyzed reductive amination using ammonia as the nitrogen source. Through this relay strategy, we achieve significant enhancements in overall efficiency, resulting in isolation yields of up to 92% for highly selective and scalable AMFC production from HMF.

Upgrading Waste Polylactide via Catalyst-Controlled Tandem Hydrolysis-Oxidation.

As plastic waste pollution continues to pose significant challenges to our environment, it is crucial to develop eco-friendly processes that can transform plastic waste into valuable chemical products in line with the principles of green chemistry. One major challenge is breaking down plastic waste into economically valuable carbon resources. This however presents an opportunity for sustainable circular economies. In this regard, a flexible approach is presented that involves the use of supported-metal catalysts to selectively degrade polylactide waste using molecular oxygen. This protocol has several advantages, including its operation under organic solvent-free and mild conditions, simplicity of implementation, and high atom efficiency, resulting in minimal waste. This approach enables the chemical upcycling of polylactide waste into valuable chemicals such as pyruvic acid, acetic acid, or a mixture containing equimolar amounts of acetic acid and formaldehyde, providing a viable alternative for accessing key value-added feedstocks from waste and spent plastics.