Synthesis of α,β- and β-Unsaturated Acids and Hydroxy Acids by Tandem Oxidation, Epoxidation, and Hydrolysis/Hydrogenation of Bioethanol Derivatives.

We report a reaction platform for the synthesis of three different high-value specialty chemical building blocks starting from bio-ethanol, which might have an important impact in the implementation of biorefineries. First, oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde generates an aldehyde-containing stream active for the production of C aldehydes via base-catalyzed aldol-condensation. Then, the resulting C adduct is selectively converted into crotonic acid via catalytic aerobic oxidation (62 % yield).