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One-pot redox cascade paired electrosynthesis of gamma-butyrolactone from furoic acid

Author

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  • Shengqin Liu

    (City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong)

  • Yangxin Jin

    (City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong)

  • Shuquan Huang

    (City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong
    Kunming University of Science and Technology)

  • Qi Zhu

    (City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong)

  • Shan Shao

    (City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong)

  • Jason Chun-Ho Lam

    (City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong
    City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong)

Abstract

The catalytic valorisation of biomass to afford synthetically useful small molecules is essential for sustainable biorefinery processes. Herein, we present a mild cascaded electrochemical protocol for converting furoic acid, a common biomass-derived feedstock, into a versatile platform chemical, gamma-butyrolactone. In the platinum(+)|nickel(−) electrode paired undivided cell, furoic acid is electrochemically oxidised with 84.2% selectivity to 2(5H)-furanone, the olefin of which is then hydrogenated to yield gamma-butyrolactone with 98.5% selectivity. The final gamma-butyrolactone yield is 69.1% with 38.3% Faradaic efficiency and 80.1% carbon balance when the reaction is performed with 100 mM furoic acid at 80 °C at +2.0 VAg/AgCl. Mechanistic investigation revealed the critical temperature and electrolyte pH conditions that maximise the production and protection of the key intermediate, furan radical, promoting its transition to 2(5H)-furanone rather than self-polymerising. The reaction is scalable, as 2.1 g of 98.1% pure gamma-butyrolactone is isolated through a simple solvent extraction.

Suggested Citation

  • Shengqin Liu & Yangxin Jin & Shuquan Huang & Qi Zhu & Shan Shao & Jason Chun-Ho Lam, 2024. "One-pot redox cascade paired electrosynthesis of gamma-butyrolactone from furoic acid," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-45278-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45278-z
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    1. Jonggeol Na & Bora Seo & Jeongnam Kim & Chan Woo Lee & Hyunjoo Lee & Yun Jeong Hwang & Byoung Koun Min & Dong Ki Lee & Hyung-Suk Oh & Ung Lee, 2019. "General technoeconomic analysis for electrochemical coproduction coupling carbon dioxide reduction with organic oxidation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
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