One-pot synthesis of dimethyl succinate from d-fructose using Amberlyst-70 catalyst

Abstract

Abstract Dimethyl succinate (DMS), an important building block of bio-based platform chemicals, was produced from d -fructose under one-pot and metal-free conditions for the first time. In the presence of 1.5 mmol d -fructose, 75 mg Amberlyst-70 and 10 bar O2, 31% of DMS along with 23% of methyl levulinate (ML) was yielded at 130°C for 4 h. The effects of different reaction parameters as well as side products from the solvent on the reaction efficiency were systematically investigated. In order to portray the scope of the process, various biomass derivatives, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, furfuryl alcohol, etc., were used as promising starting materials for the one-pot synthesis of DMS using the same catalytic system. Besides, the stability of the catalyst was assessed, and the reaction pathway was also proposed based on the experimental results and observations.