Development of 6-amyl-α-pyrone as a potential biomass-derived platform molecule

Abstract

Catalytic transformation routes for the valorization of biomass-derived 6-amyl-α-pyrone (6PP) were explored for the first time. Ring-opening and decarboxylation of 6PP in water yielded non-2-en-4-one with 95% conversion and nearly 60% selectivity at 498 K, without the requirement of an acid catalyst. The decarboxylated product was further hydrogenated to yield 4-nonanone over a Pd/C catalyst. In order to produce longer chain hydrocarbons of diesel and jet fuel range, C-C coupling via aldol condensation of nonanone with furfural and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) was experimented over a mixed oxide (CaO-MgO) catalyst measuring up to 40% and 60% yield of the branched aldol products at 443 K and 393 K respectively.