Membrane-free one-pot cascaded electrocatalytic redox of furfural into gamma-butyrolactone

Abstract

A green and sustainable one-pot paired electrolysis method is introduced for the conversion of furfural (FAL), a biomass-derived platform compound, into gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). A novel approach was developed that integrates the electrochemical oxidation of FAL to furoic acid (FA) at low potential and the subsequent transformation of FA to 2(5H)-furanone (2-FO), followed by its reduction to GBL—all within a single, membrane-free cell. By optimizing reaction parameters, over 98.5% selectivity was achieved for the conversion of FAL to FA, and a 60.5% yield of GBL was obtained from FAL. This mild, membrane-free paired electrosynthesis offers an eco-friendly alternative for GBL production and enables the valorization of biomass platform compounds for high-value applications. The potential of renewable biomass to replace petrochemical feedstocks is underscored by the findings presented, aligning with sustainable chemistry principles and supporting a circular economy. This work marks a significant advancement in electrochemical synthesis and renewable chemistry, providing a practical pathway for GBL production from renewable resources.