Mechanistic Studies on the Cascade Conversion of 1,3-Dihydroxyacetone and Formaldehyde into alpha-Hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone

作者：Yamaguchi Sho^*; Matsuo Takeaki; Motokura Ken; Sakamoto Yasuharu; Miyaji Akimitsu; Baba Toshihide

来源：Chemsuschem, 2015, 8(5): 853-860.

DOI：10.1002/cssc.201403100

• biomass
• homogeneous catalysis
• reaction mechanisms
• reactive intermediates
• tin

The chemical synthesis of commercially and industrially important products from biomass-derived sugars is absolutely vital to establish biomass utilization as a sustainable alternative source of chemical starting materials. -Hydroxy--butyrolactone is a useful synthetic intermediate in pharmaceutical chemistry, and so novel biomass-related routes for its production may help to validate this eco-friendly methodology. Herein, we report the specific catalytic activity of homogeneous tin halides to convert the biomass-derived triose sugar 1,3-dihydroxyacetone and formaldehyde into -hydroxy--butyrolactone. A detailed screening of catalysts showed the suitability of tin catalysts for this reaction system, and isotope experiments using [D-2]paraformaldehyde, substrate screening, and time profile measurements allowed us to propose a detailed reaction pathway. In addition, to elucidate the activated species in this cascade reaction, the effect of additional water and the influence of additional BrOnsted acids on the reaction preferences for the formation of -hydroxy--butyrolactone, lactic acid, and vinyl glycolate were investigated. The active form of the Sn catalyst was investigated by (SnNMR)-Sn-119 spectroscopy.

• 出版日期2015-3