Lignin, as a large volume byproduct from the pulping industry, is a rich renewable source of functionalized aromatic molecules which could replace a large part of the fossil-derived starting materials used in chemical synthesis today. We are interested in using these small aromatic molecules, to create a library of building blocks useful for creating more complex, valuable chemicals using green chemical methods and abundant reagents.  Cationic η<sup>5</sup>-Iron carbonyl cyclohexadienyl complexes are versatile electrophiles able to react in highly regio- and stereospecific manners with a broad range of nucleophiles. In our recent work, we have expanded the scope of biomass based nucleophiles, focusing on aromatic molecules such as phenols and azulenes, while at the same time looking at greener reaction conditions.  We are also looking at new routes for the production of a number of different cyclohexadiene derivates, starting from lignin derivable aromatics. Using bacterial strains able to perform enantioselective dearomatizing dihydroxylations, enantiopure cyclohexadienes can be produced and subsequently applied to our iron carbonyl methodology.

Iron- and enzyme based tools for enhancing the value of biomass building blocks

256th National Meeting (2018)

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