Synthesis of a novel polyester building block from pentoses by tin-containing silicates

We report here the direct formation of the new chemical product, trans-2,5-dihydroxy-3-pentenoic acid methyl ester, from pentoses using tin-containing silicates as catalysts. The product is formed under alkali-free conditions in methanol at temperatures in the range 140–180 °C. The highest yields are found using Sn-Beta as the catalyst. Under optimised conditions, a yield of 33% is achieved. Purified trans-2,5-dihydroxy-3-pentenoic acid methyl ester was used for copolymerisation studies with ethyl 6-hydroxyhexanoate using Candida antartica Lipase B as the catalyst. The copolymersiation yields a product containing functional groups originating from trans-2,5-dihydroxy-3-pentenoic acid methyl ester in the polyester backbone. The reactivity of the incorporated olefin and hydroxyl moieties was investigated using trifluoroacetic anhydride and thiol-ene chemisitry, thus illustrating the potential for functionalising the new co-polymers.