Highly Efficient Biobased Synthesis of Acrylic Acid

Petrochemical based polymers, paints and coatings are cornerstones of modern industry but our future sustainable society demands greener processes renewable feedstock materials. A challenge is to access platform monomers from biomass resources while integrating the principles green chemistry in their chemical synthesis. We present a synthesis route starting biomass-derived furfural towards commonly used maleic anhydride acrylic acid, implementing environmentally benign photooxygenation, aerobic oxidation ethenolysis reactions. Maleic transformed into sodium acrylate, were isolated yields 85 % (2 steps) 81 (4 steps), respectively. With minimal waste high atom efficiency, this biobased provides viable alternative key monomers.