Selective Production of Maleic Acid from Furfural via a Cascade Approach Combining Photochemistry and Electro- or Biochemistry

Abstract

Starting from furfural, maleic acid is efficiently synthesized in two steps under very mild conditions. In the first step, 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone is synthesized via photochemical oxidation and proposed as a stable intermediate. Subsequent oxidation in the second step, by either an electrochemical or enzymatic process, results in maleic acid in high yield and selectivity.