CO2-Catalysed aldol condensation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and acetone to a jet fuel precursor

CO2 can act as a catalyst for the production of bio-jet fuel precursors through aldol condensation. CO2-Catalysed aldol condensation of HMF with acetone gives a > 95% yield of [4-(5-hydroxymethyl-2-furyl)-3-butenone] mono-aldol condensate, while direct conversion of glucose to the same mono-aldol condensate gave a yield of 11%.