Synthetic methods can be developed utilizing biomass as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based chemicals.  Previous research efforts resulted in a facile conversion from biomass-derived carbohydrates to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a platform from which many transformations lead to the formation of diverse and increasingly complex compounds.  An important novel conversion of HMF includes the successful formation of sulfonic acids under mild reaction conditions, followed by a simple purification of the crystalline solid.  Furthermore, hydroxy sulfonates are selectively obtained from HMF derivatives, whereby the hydroxyl moiety is modified as an ether, ester, or aryl functionality.  The newly introduced functionality, installed via a renewable pathway, imparts an amphiphilic character to the hydroxy sulfonates.  Thus promising potential exists toward novel surfactants as the chemical and physical properties can be specifically and purposefully designed.

Novel surfactants from HMF

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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