Synthesis of medium-chain carboxylic acids or alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acids from cellulose-derived platform chemicals

Medium-chain fatty acids and their derivatives have important applications in the energy and chemical industries. Thus, we have prepared a series of medium-chain fatty acids by the selective hydrodeoxygenation of the aldol condensation products derived from cellulose using a metal triflate and Pd/C catalyst system. The selective retention of the carboxyl group is a notable feature of this catalytic system.