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<\/p>\n2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), also known as dehydromucic acid and pyromucic acid, is an organic compound that was first detected in human urine. In fact, a healthy human produces 3-5 mg\/day. It is a very stable compound. Some of its physical properties, such as insolubility in most of common solvents and a very high melting point (it melts at 342 \u00b0C), seem to indicate intermolecular hydrogen bonding. FDCA has two carboxylic acid groups, which makes it a suitable monomer for polycondensation reactions with diols or diamines.<\/p>\n
It is one of the top 12 value-added biobased chemicals listed by the US DoE in 2004. The list was updated in 2010 and FDCA was included again, but this time in a group together with furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). Those three molecules are the main representatives of the furanics (furan derivatives) that has been referred to as \u201cSleeping Giants\u201d because of their enormous market potential. In recent years, FDCA has received significant attention due to its wide application in many fields, particularly as a substitute of petrochemical-derived terephthalic acid in the synthesis of useful polymers.<\/p>\n
Figure 1. FDCA and PTA molecular structures<\/p>\n
Process technologies 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22<\/p>\n
FDCA was first prepared from mucic acid by Fittig and Heinzelmann in 1876 by reacting with fuming hydrobromic acid under pressure. Currently, the most common route for producing FDCA is through 5-HMF oxidation, which in turn is traditionally produced by dehydrating hexoses, especially fructose. The conversion can be performed via an acid catalyzed dehydration reaction in supercritical acetone, water with phase modifiers or high boiling solvents. 5-HMF is not stable and degrades upon storage. It may undergo re-hydration in aqueous phase, thereby originating byproducts such as levulinic and formic acid or even condensate into polymers called humins. So, the use of stable intermediates (for instance, alkoxy-derivatives) or the direct conversion of fructose into FDCA in one pot are preferred.<\/p>\n
Numerous processes have been studied and are described in detail in literature. For instance, biological transformations and electrochemical routes have been reported recently. In the table beneath, you will find a non-extensive overview of the most important processes developed or under research by companies and research institutes. Most of the patents and web pages consulted are very recent. It is a clear illustration of the great interest generated by the compound. The table will be updated in the future.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Applications 1,3,5,6,7,8,12,23<\/p>\n
FDCA can be used for a range of applications, including green chemicals and biopolymers. Despite its chemical stability, it undergoes reactions typical for carboxylic acids, giving carboxylic dihalides, esters and amides. The materials market represents a multi-billion-euro business and includes plastics, plasticizers, thermosets and coatings.<\/p>\n
Below, main applications are shortly described:
\n– Polyesters, polyamides and polyurethanes
\nThe most important group of FDCA conversions is undoubtedly the polymerisation. The FDCA monomer offers great opportunities to create a wide range of polymers: polyesters (bottles, containers and films), polyamides (for new nylons) and polyurethanes.
\nPEF is featured further down.
\n– Plasticizers
\nFDCA esters have recently been evaluated as replacements for phthalate plasticizers for PVC.
\n– Fire foams
\nFDCA, as most of polycarboxylic acids, is an ingredient of fire foams. Such foams help to extinguish fires in a short time caused by polar and non-polar solvents.
\n– Precursor of levulinic and succinic acids
\nAll the applications of these platform molecules.
\n– Pharmacology
\nFDCA has been largely applied in pharmacology. It was demonstrated that its diethyl ester had a strong anaesthetic action similar to cocaine. Screening studies on some FDCA derivatives showed important anti-bacterial properties. A diluted solution of FDCA in tetrahydrofuran is utilised for preparing artificial veins for transplantation.<\/p>\n
PEF<\/p>\n
Polyethylene furanoate (PEF) deserves a specific space in this applications chapter. The most important polyester is PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which is produced using purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and ethylene glycol (EG). The market for virgin PET is currently around 50 million tons per year. The main raw material for PTA is para-xylene (PX) which is generated by oil refining. EG, the other building block for PET production, is obtained on the basis of ethylene, made by oil cracking. EG is also produced from bioethanol and extensive efforts are being made to commercialize PX from renewable sources.<\/p>\n
However, in addition to the production of building blocks that are chemically identical to existing petrochemical building blocks, it is also possible to make entirely new monomers based on biobased raw materials. FDCA can replace PTA to obtain PEF in large applications such as bottles and carpets. When also using renewable EG, a 100% renewable PEF can be produced. As FDCA has a different molecular structure than PTA, the resulting polymer will also have other properties. In spite of this fact, they are sufficiently similar to allow FDCA to be used in combination with EG in existing PET polymerization plants, making FDCA an infrastructure drop-in. In a similar manner, PEF can also be used in downstream conversion plants. Furthermore, PEF is recyclable which offers converters and brandowners the opportunity of a closed loop product lifecycle. In fact, the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) has recently given interim approval for the recyclability of PEF to be produced by Synvina in the European bottle recycling market.<\/p>\n
With regard to thermal properties, PEF has a better performance than PET as it has a higher thermal stability (higher glass transition temperature) combined with a lower processing temperature (lower melting point). PEF is also seen as a superior material for bottles due to its increased gas barrier properties. In addition, PEF opens the door to new applications where PET properties do not suffice, like in smaller serving sizes and light-weighting and also for replacing other packaging materials like glass and aluminum cans.<\/p>\n
Biorefineries at commercial scale and demo plants 14,24<\/p>\n
At the time of writing, only two companies have announced the construction of commercial scale FDCA biorefineries. Albeit, due to the growing interest on this building block, it is foreseeable that more companies follow their steps in the next few years. Below, a summary of the characteristics and status of the facilities at commercial scale and demo plants that are operating or under planning.
\nAVA Biochem owns a pilot\/demo scale of 50 kg\/hour name plate capacity for 5-HMF technology. FDCA oxidation is not yet a pilot scale. However, they can use the existing AMOCO process which has been used for decades for the PTA production.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
References<\/p>\n
1 J. Lewkowski: \u201cSynthesis, chemistry and applications of 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural and its derivatives\u201d. ARKIVOC 2001 (i) 17-54.<\/p>\n
2 S. P. Teong, G. Yi, Y. Zhang: \u201cHydroxymethylfurfural production from bioresources: past, present and future\u201d. Green Chemistry, 2014, 16, 2015\u20132026.
\n3 T. Werpy, G.R. Petersen: \u201cTop Value Added Chemicals from Biomass. Volume 1: Results of Screening for Potential Candidates from Sugar and Systhesis Gas\u201d. US DoE, August 2004.
\n4 J.J. Bozell, G.R. Petersen: \u201cTechnology development for the production of biobased product from biorefinery carbohydrates \u2013 the US Department of Energy\u2019s Top 10 revisited\u201d. Green Chemistry, 2010, 12, 539\u2013554.
\n5 E. de Jong, M.A. Dam, L. Sipos, G.-J.M. Gruter: \u201cFurandicarboxylic Acid (FDCA), A Versatile Building Block for a Very Interesting Class of Polyesters\u201d. ACS Symposium Series, Vol. 1105. Biobased Monomers, Polymers, and Materials. Chapter 1, pp 1\u201313. August 16, 2012.
\n6 \u201cBio-Based Chemicals: Value Added Products from Biorefineries\u201d. IEA Bioenergy, Task 42 Biorefinery.
\n7 P. Harmsen, M. Hackmann: \u201cGreen Building Blocks for Biobased Plastics\u201d. Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research, March 2013.
\n8 C.H.R.M. Wilsens: \u201cExploring the application of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid as a monomer in high performance polymers : synthesis, characterization, and properties\u201d. Eindhoven: Technische Universiteit Eindhoven DOI: 10.6100\/IR783770, 2015.
\n9 Z. Zhang and K. Deng: \u201cRecent Advances in the Catalytic Synthesis of 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid and Its Derivatives\u201d. ACS Catal., 2015, 5 (11), pp 6529\u20136544.
\n10 M. Gattinger et al.: \u201cCyclization and Dehydration of Aldaric Acids to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid\u201d. 2016 AIChE Annual Meeting.
\n11 G.S. Hossain1 et al.: \u201cMetabolic engineering of Raoultella ornithinolytica BF60 for the production of 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural\u201d. AEM Accepted Manuscript Posted Online 21 October 2016, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. doi:10.1128\/AEM.02312-16.
\n12. A. Sanborn: \u201cProcess for making 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid\u201d. Patent: US 9562028 B2 (ADM), 07\/02\/2017.
\n13 AVA Biochem web page (accessed on 27\/05\/2017).
\n14 Avantium web page (accessed on 27\/05\/2017).
\n15. J. van HAveren et al.: \u201cProcess For The Production Of The Mixture 2,4 Furandicarboxylic Acid (FDCA) And 2,5 Furandicarboxylic Acid Via Disproportionation Reaction, Mixture Of 2,4-FDCA And 2,5-FDCA As A Result Of Disproportination Reaction, 2,4-FDCA Obtained By The Disproportionation Reaction Process And Use Of 2,4-FDCA\u201d. Patent: US20150119588 A1 (Braskem), 30\/05\/2015.
\n16 \u201cFDCA bioplastics\u201d. Corbion Purac FDCA brochure.
\n17 J. Mesfin et al.: \u201cOxidation process to produce a crude and\/or purified carboxylic acid product\u201d. Patent: US 20150011783 A1 (Eastman), 08\/01\/2015.
\n18 G. Borsotti et al.: \u201cProcess for the synthesis of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid\u201d. Patent: US 20130137882 A1 (Novamont), 30\/05\/2013.
\n18 \u201cMercurius Biorefining and University of California, Davis to Develop Technology for Low-Cost FDCA Production\u201d. Mercurious Biorefinig press release, 31\/08\/2016.
\n17 B.G. Siqueira et al.: \u201c2.5-furandicarboxylic acid integrated production process\u201d. Patent: US 9199957 B2 (Petrobras), 01\/12\/2015.
\n20 \u201cA new method for producing plant-based drinking bottles from FDCA\u201d. VTT press release, 03\/05\/2017.
\n21 \u201cGreen plastics from citrus fruit peels and sugar\u201d. The making of tomorrow, VTT.
\n22 \u201cResearchers develop new approach that combines biomass conversion, solar energy conversion\u201d. WARF news, 10\/03\/2015.
\n23 \u201cSynvina receives interim approval from European PET Bottle Platform: PEF to be integrated in circular economy\u201d. Synvina Press Release, 22\/05\/2017.
\n24 K. Laird: \u201cAVA-CO2 announces successful development of new interface for different FDCA oxidation routes\u201d. Plastics Today, 25\/05\/2016.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), also known as dehydromucic acid and pyromucic acid, is an organic compound that was first detected in human urine. In fact, a healthy human produces 3-5 mg\/day. It is a very stable compound. Some of its physical properties, such as insolubility in most of common solvents and a very high melting point […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","nova_meta_subtitle":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5572],"tags":[12584,5796],"supplier":[6487,742],"class_list":["post-43776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bio-based","tag-biorefineries","tag-biotechnology","supplier-ava-biochem","supplier-avantium-technologies-bv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43776"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43776\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43776"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=43776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}