Renewable synthesis of branched diols as polymer precursors from biomass-derived lactones and 2-pyrones

Hydric alcohols are important synthetic intermediates used to manufacture polymer, fine chemicals, and commodity products. Recent environmental problems due to fossil fuel-based non-degradable products have call for the advancement in research towards developing an alternate source that can sustainably substitute petroleum. In this direction, we have conceptualized a combined fermentation and catalytic process to obtain biorenewable branched diols from biomass. The significant yield of the desired diol products was obtained from different lignocellulose-based cyclic esters under optimized conditions. In order to know the universality of our process, saturated, partially saturated and unsaturated lactones were tested, which gave up to 99% conversion and (∼68–91%) diol’s yield. Finally, a plausible mechanism for 6-amyl-α-pyrone hydrogenation is proposed which is more likely to follow a pathway involving ring-opening reaction via partial hydrogenation of the double bond.