Arginine Acts as both Co-Solvent and Catalyst in Regioselective Eutectic-Mediated Dimerization of Levulinic Acid.
CHEMSUSCHEM 2024:e202400503. [PMID:
38575387 DOI:
10.1002/cssc.202400503]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
A simple, solvent-free arginine-catalyzed aldol dimerization of levulinic acid was achieved via the simultaneous formation of a eutectic mixture. Dimers of levulinic acid are valued as biomass-derived fine chemical precursors, with potential to upgrade to bio-jet fuels or N-containing functional chemicals. Typically, these dimers are produced as isomeric mixtures using high temperatures and a variety of solid inorganic catalysts or mineral acids. In this study, an organocatalytic and regioselective dimerization was achieved at 22 % conversion on either a bench or kilogram scale using mild temperatures and only L-arginine as both a co-solvent and catalyst. The intricate H-bonding network comprising the eutectic solvent was harnessed to produce only one product, minimizing side reactivity and preserving the reactants for recycling.
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