Toward Green synthetic approaches of C6 bio-based platform chemicals

The integration of basic sciences into sustainable development is a key focus for many global initiatives, including the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Agenda 2030, which highlights 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Organic synthesis plays a crucial role in addressing sustainability challenges such as using non-harmful reagents, minimizing energy and waste, and promoting recycling. These principles are central to the efforts of numerous international organizations, including the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The discovery, development, and application of new organic synthesis methods, along with an understanding of their reaction mechanisms, is an essential area of research. In this context, dialkyl carbonates (DACs) have gained significant attention over recent decades due to their benign nature.1 Dimethyl carbonate (DMC), in particular, has become a vital substitute for chlorine-based chemicals in various chemical reactions. While halogen-based molecules are more reactive, they often lack selectivity in chemical reactions. In contrast, DACs tend to offer high selectivity in alkylation reactions despite their lower reactivity. Green syntheses using DMC have been reported in the production of anti-inflammatory drugs, polymers, fragrances, and solvents. DACs are also utilized as fuel additives, lithium battery solvents, and in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, plastics, coatings, electronics, and agrochemicals. This lecture focuses on the use of DMC and other DACs as alternatives to halogen-based compounds in the synthesis and derivatization of bio-based platform chemicals such as isosorbide, galactaric acid and furanic compounds derived from D-Fructose.2 Assessments of the greenness of the abovementioned procedures were evaluated via Green metrics.