Biocatalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural: Synthesis of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfurylamine

Two different green biocatalytic methods were investigated for the transformation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to valuable disubstituted furan derivatives. 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl) furan (BHMF) was obtained by biocatalytic reduction using lyophilized plant tissues. 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfurylamine (HMFA) was synthesized by amination transfer reaction catalysed by immobilized transaminase enzymes. By choosing suitable reaction conditions both products were obtained with high yields in water as reaction medium, at room temperature or 50 °C within a reaction time of 48 and 24 h. The studied protocols represent environmentally benign and promising green catalytic processes, generating less waste than other synthetic approaches.