Biomass conversion of sucrose

Lipase-catalysed esterification of sucrose in [C4mim][dca] with decanoic acid was reported but not much information was given on conversions [116]. Enzymatic acylation of levoglucosan, an anhydro-sugar produced by pyrolysis of biomass, using Candida antarctica lipase in l-methoxyethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyana-mide, gave 61% yield after 5 days at 50-60 °C [150],... 

Generally speaking, numerous synthons can be extracted from biomass. One known example is that of ethylene, produced from the dehydration of ethanol which is a very common product of fermentation. Another example is 1,3-propanediol, which is a monomer used as a building block for the production of polymers such as polyesters and polyurethanes. Several industrial processes have studied its production by fermentation with the aim of producing it directly from inexpensive plant raw materials (starch or sucrose). To synthesize polyamides and polyesters, we also aim to produce a,(o-dicarboxylic acids by the biological conversion of esters from vegetable oils. 

Early efforts for the efficient conversion of biomass into monomers were concentrated on the acidic transformation and on the fermentation of sugars obtained from sucrose, or from glucose after depolymerization of starch materials (potato, com). During the last two decades, however, more attention has been focused on other constituents of plant materials, such as cellulose and lignocellulosic residues. The current trend is indeed to avoid competition with food, offering new routes to C6 and C5 carbohydrates, for further transformation into value-added platform molecules. 

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