A Two-step, One-pot Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of Biomass-derived Levoglucosenone Derivatives to Chiral, C4-Sustituted 5-Hydroxymethyl Butyrolactones

Abstract

A two-step one-pot rapid microwave assisted method has been developed for the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of biomass derived levoglucosenone (LGO) analogues. This method uses the acidic resin Amberlyst 15 as the catalyst and hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant in ethanol solution. A small library of C4-substituted LGO analogues have been synthesised and oxidised using this method giving high yields in short times in each case. The purity of the recovered products was very high removing the need for chromatographic separation.