1,3-Propanediol, An Exemplary Bio-Renewable Organic Platform Chemical.

This opinionated review underlines the increasing production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) by whole cell biocatalytic fermentation of biomass and highlights how production has transitioned from petrochemicals to bio-renewables. Current uses of 1,3-PDO are listed. Some future prospects for evolving the current technology and expanding the chemical uses of 1,3-PDO use are discussed, with emphasis on catalytic and atom efficient chemistries. Lessons from the success of biomass derived 1,3-PDO are noted that may be applied to other bio-based organic platform chemicals.