Dehydro-aromatization of cyclohexene-carboxylic acids by sulfuric acid: critical route for bio-based terephthalic acid synthesis

A novel dehydro-aromatization reaction under mild reaction conditions was successfully developed using sulfuric acid as a cost-effective and efficient oxidant. This reaction simplified the synthesis of terephthalic acid (TA, an important aromatic monomer precursor) from biomass-derived isoprene and acrylic acid.