Photocatalytic synthesis of difuran derivatives for use as biorenewable heat-resistant monomers

POLY 485

Christopher Comer, ccomer@engineering.uiowa.edu, Gary A. Aurand, gary-aurand@uiowa.edu, and Julie L. P. Jessop, julie-jessop@uiowa.edu. Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa, Seamans Center 4125, Iowa City, IA 52242
Low yields of 5,5'-diformyl-2,2' difuran were achieved with photochemical coupling of 5-bromo-2-furfural and 2-furfural in the presence of an anionic exchange resin. The reaction described was modified to synthesize difuran derivatives using 2-furfural, furan, and 2-(2-furyl)-1,3-dioxolane by photochemical coupling in a through-flow system with an anionic exchange column. The effects of reactant UV absorbance on product yields under varying acidic conditions were studied. Reactions were monitored with UV-vis spectroscopy, GC-MS, and NMR spectroscopy. 5,5'-diformyl-2,2'-bifuran was synthesized in high yields, but the other two derivatives were not. Furfural and 5-bromo-2-furfural were shown to compete for UV light needed for photolysis; thus, reactions with furfural present did not result in high yields, even in the presence of excess anionic exchange resin necessary to prevent degradation of reactants and products in these syntheses.
 

Polymers from Renewable Resources
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Sci-Mix

Division of Polymer Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007