R&D
Initiative
Biocatalytic Routes to the Synthesis of
Fine Chemicals
Byproducts generated from biomass recycling and selective biocatalytic processes can be
used to synthesize fine chemicals valuable for use in pharmaceuticals, foods, materials
and cosmetics. These include both glucose and hydroxy acids, and represent a major
underutilized national resource. Examples of R&D projects in this area of the Green
Chemistry Catalysis Laboratory include:
Use of unusual sugars as pharmaceutical
intermediates
More than 100 unusual bioactive sugars currently serve as pharmaceutical intermediates.
The complex chemical synthesis of these carbohydrates makes them ideal targets for
improved biocatalysis.
We propose to develop a continuously operational membrane-based process
that employs a combination of enzymes to convert carbohydrate products obtained from
biomass recycling into these unusual sugar compounds. The result will be an economical
route to the production of compounds with high value for pharmaceutical applications.
Design of novel polyesters and
biodegradable polymers
Hydroxyacids obtained from biomass recycling are critical components of commercially
available polymers and intermediates for other fine chemicals. These hydroxyacids include
poly(lactates) and poly(hydroxybutyrates). However, the isolation of these acids from
fermentations and their activation are currently challenging. In this area, we propose to:
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