METRO

Workin′ 6 to 5: A highly active heterogeneous catalyst, Pd/SBA-15(DP), promotes the selective decarbonylation of biomass-derived HMF to furfural alcohol with a high yield, up to 96 %, in mild conditions. The route offers a simple and effective method of linking C₆ and C₅ molecules in the biomass conversion value chain. In addition to HMF the catalyst is effective towards the decarbonylation of other biomass-derived aldehydes, also.

Complexation of 2,7-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (bpnp) with Cu₂O in formic acid under aerobic conditions provided a dicopper complex [Cu₂(bpnp)(μ-OH)(HCOO)₃] (1). This complex has been characterized by X-ray crystallographic and spectroscopic analysis. With O₂ as the oxidant, complex 1 is an efficient catalyst for the oxidative coupling of alcohols with amines or diamines, leading to the corresponding imines or diimines in good to excellent yields.

A dicopper complex has been found to be an efficient catalyst for the oxidative coupling of benzyl alcohols with amines or diamines, leading to the corresponding imines or diimines in good to excellent yields without using any organic solvent.