Alkynylation of Bio-Based 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to Connect Biomass Processing with Conjugated Polymers and Furanic Pharmaceuticals.

Acetylene-functionalized platform chemicals were synthesized from biomass-derived 5-hydrohymethylfurfural (HMF). Demanding mono- and bis-ethynylfurans were obtained in high yields (89-99 %). Applications of these products in the synthesis of smart organic conjugated materials and pharmaceuticals were examined in a series of transformations. Conjugated polyacetylenic polymers with morphology control have been prepared by incorporation of the HMF core.