Catalytic Transformation of the Furfural Platform into Bifunctionalized Monomers for Polymer Synthesis

Furfural is currently industrially produced from raw agricultural materials with almost no limit; however, its market volume is very limited due to its monofunctionalized furan structure. Apparently, the exploration of new catalytic technologies to transform furfural into versatile bifunctionalized monomers for polymer syntheses may substantially open up furfural-based biomass utilizations and partially reduce concerns about the scarcity of the carbon source in the chemical industry caused by the rapid depletion of fossil resources. This Review summarizes the current state of the art of bifunctional monomer development from the furfural platform, including aliphatic diols, diacids and anhydrides, bifunctionalized furans and bifurans, and furan-based bisphenol A analogues. We hope the coming success in catalytic efficiency improvements in these monomer syntheses from the furfural platform with related polymer developments may boost furfural-based hemicellulose utilizations.