Production of organic acids from biomass resources

Catalytic synthesis of valuable organic acids such as lactic acid, levulinic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), and sugar acids (e.g. gluconic acid and glucosaminic acid) from renewable carbon resources is of high interest for a sustainable chemical industry in the future. A number of efficient catalytic systems have been recently developed to convert biomass into organic acids. Herein we highlight new strategies and catalysts that are effective for the transformations. The mechanisms and catalyst functions involved in several typical reactions are analyzed for the rational design of more efficient catalytic systems.