Method for transforming levoglucosenone into 4-hydroxymethyl butyrolactone or 4-hydroxymethyl butenolide

摘要

The invention relates to a method for transforming levoglucosenone into 4-hydroxymethyl butyrolactone or 4-hydroxymethyl butenolide, comprising a step involving the oxidation of the levoglucosenone, or dihydrolevoglucosenone obtained by hydrogenation of levoglucosenone, by bringing a solution of levoglucosenone or dihydrolevoglucosenone in a solvent into contact with a lipase in the presence of an oxidizing agent and an acyl donor compound. The oxidation step is followed by a step involving the hydrolysis of the reaction mixture obtained, and, if necessary, a step involving the hydrogenation of the compound obtained at the end of the hydrolysis step.