Enzyme cascade reactions: synthesis of furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and carboxylic acids using oxidases in tandem

A one-pot tandem enzyme reaction using galactose oxidase M3–5 and aldehyde oxidase PaoABC was used to convert hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to the pure bioplastics precursor FDCA in 74% isolated yield. A range of alcohols was also converted to carboxylic acids in high yield under mild conditions.