Isosorbide as a Renewable Platform chemical for Versatile Applications—Quo Vadis?

Abstract

Isosorbide is a platform chemical of considerable importance for the future replacement of fossil resource-based products. Applications as monomers and building blocks for new polymers and functional materials, new organic solvents, for medical and pharmaceutical applications, and even as fuels or fuel additives are conceivable. The conversion of isosorbide to valuable derivatives by functionalization or substitution of the hydroxyl groups is difficult because of the different configurations of the 2- and 5-positions and the resulting different reactivity and steric hindrance of the two hydroxyl groups. Although a substantial amount of work has been published using exclusively the endo or exo derivatives isomannide and isoidide, respectively, as starting material, a considerable effort is still necessary to transfer and adapt these methods for the efficient conversion of isosorbide. This Minireview deals with all aspects of isosorbide chemistry, which includes its production by catalytic processes, special properties, and chemical transformations for its utilization in biogenic polymers and other applications of interest.

Transition metal triflate catalyzed conversion of alcohols, ethers and esters to olefins

“…[2][3][4][5][6] In addition to lignocellulose, terpenes are a versatile class of organic compound widely available from biomass, containing different functionalities, such as alcohols, esters and ethers. 7,8 In this respect, the defunctionalization of terpenes offers an interesting opportunity to produce high value biomass-based olens for biopolymer applications as well as for other purposes.…”

Development of Solid Catalyst–Solid Substrate Reactions for Efficient Utilization of Biomass

“…13 In research phase, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), given by the dehydration of glucose, 14 has attracted significant interest to produce a fuel with a high research octane number (2,5-dimethylfuran) 15 and a polyester with higher thermal resistance and gas barrier property (polyethylene furanoate; PEF) relative to polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 16 The ethylene glycol part of the polymer can be also derived from cellulose via glucose.…”

Thermal degradation of phosphorus esters derived from isosorbide and 10-undecenoic acid

“…However, it is likely that organophosphorus compounds will be the most common replacements. In this case, the thermal degradation properties of a series of phosphorus esters ultimately derived from the biomaterials, starch [19][20][21][22] and castor oil [23][24][25][26][27], have been evaluated.…”