Catalytic C-H Functionalization of Unreactive Furan Cores in Bio-Derived Platform Chemicals

C-H functionalization is one of the most convenient and powerful tools in the arsenal of modern chemistry, deservedly nominated as the Holy Grail of organic synthesis. A frequent disadvantage of this method is the need for harsh reaction conditions to carry out transformations of inert C-H bonds, which limits the possibility of its use for modifying less stable substrates. Biomass-derived furan platform chemicals, which have a relatively unstable aromatic furan core and highly reactive side chain substituents, are extremely promising and valuable organic molecules that are currently widely used in a variety of research and industrial fields. The high sensitivity of furan derivatives to acids, strong oxidants, and high temperatures significantly limits the use of classical methods of C-H functionalization for their modification. New methods of catalytic functionalization of non-reactive furan cores are urgently required to obtain a new generation of materials with controlled properties and potentially bioactive substances.

Automated summary

C-H functionalization is a convenient and powerful tool in modern chemistry, but its harsh reaction conditions limit its use for modifying unstable substrates. Biomass-derived furan platform chemicals are promising organic molecules, but their sensitivity to acids, oxidants, and high temperatures hinders traditional methods of C-H functionalization. New catalytic methods are urgently needed to modify non-reactive furan cores and obtain materials with controlled properties.