Water → Methyl 5-methyl-2-furancarboxylate

Participants

Reaction Steps

The method of the present invention involves preparing furan-containing molecules of formula I, which are useful chemical building blocks and fuel or fuel additives, from furan-containing molecules of formula II, in greater than 50% yield. The first step involves contacting a furan-containing molecule of formula II, a base, such as DBU, an organic solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), a catalyst, such as an N-heterocyclic carbene, and a reactive nucleophile, such as alcohols, water, amines or thiols, in a reaction vessel at a temperature of from about −78 degree C. to 150 degree C. After completion, the second step involves separating the product molecules of formula I by extraction with a hydrophobic solvent, such as ethyl acetate. The yield to methyl 5-methyl-2-furoate and ethyl 5-methyl-2-furoate are greater than 70% by this method.

Provenance & Evidence