Electrochemical upcycling biomass-derived methyl 2-furoate and CO2 into monomers for recyclable polyesters

Abstract

We developed a site-selective electrochemical carboxylation strategy that converts biomass-derived methyl 2-furoate into dimethyl furan-2,5-dicarboxylate using CO₂ as a sustainable C₁ source. The reaction afforded the target monomer in 27% yield with excellent regioselectivity (>99%). Gram-scale synthesis, polymerization, and methanolysis recycling demonstrated efficient production and recyclability of furan-based polyesters.