C6 Diacids from homocitric acid lactone using relay heterogeneous catalysis in water

Conversion of renewable resources to the chemicals and materials needed for consumer products represents an exciting challenge for catalysis science. Here we discuss our initial progress on synthesizing C6 diacids from the sugar fermentation intermediate α-homo-citric acid lactone using supported heterogeneous catalysts in water. Using high-throughput catalysis testing we have identified several promising catalysts for this process that yield different amounts of the three C6 diacids: adipic, 2-methylglutaric and 2-ethylsuccinic. The process involves a relay of four different chemical reactions: dehydration, alkene isomerization, decarboxylation and alkene hydrogenation. DFT studies have been initiated in order to rationalize the activity and selectivity based on catalyst properties.