Accessing a key intermediate for sub(oxa)porphyrins from a sustainable raw-material—Cashew apple bagasse

Furan-2,5-diylbis(phenylmethanol) is a key intermediate to access sub(oxa)porphyrins. Previously, this was accessible from fossil-derived furan using highly dangerous lithium reagents. Presently, we have produced cashew apple bagasse (CAB), via the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). CAB non-food biomass containing cellulose and hemicellulose. From CAB, obtained HMF in yield 310 mg/g CAB. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) optimized condition for efficient conversion (i) temperature at 180 °C, (ii) 1:1 mol ratio catalysts (ZnSO4/NaHSO4), (iii) reaction duration 3 h. CAB-derived treated with an oxidizing agent pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) obtain 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF). DFF converted into furan-2,5-diylbis(phenylmethanol) phenylmagnesium bromide. Based on TD-DFT analysis sub(oxa)porphyrins, it concluded that absorption behavior sub(oxa)porphyrins can be tuned by introducing electron-withdrawing groups phenyl ring