Sustainable aerogels derived from bio-based 2,5-diformylfuran and depolymerization products of lignin

2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) is a promising green platform chemical obtainable by selective oxidation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF). In this work, high-purity DFF was synthesized from HMF and compared to formaldehyde (F) in terms suitability for polymerization aqueous solution with various phenolic model substances that may be depolymerization lignin. Resorcinol, catechol, phloroglucinol formed stable hydrogels DFF, which were converted alcogels subsequently dried extraction supercritical carbon dioxide. Thermogravimetric analysis scanning electron microscopy the resulting aerogels showed no significant differences between F gels. The high porosity confirmed liquid nitrogen BET surface measurement; specific areas measured varied significantly, ranging 20 700 m2 g−1.