Valorization of chitin derived N-acetyl-D-glucosamine into high valuable N-containing 3-acetamido-5-acetylfuran using pyridinium-based ionic liquids

Chitin and its derivatives contain biologically fixed nitrogen elements, which can provide nitrogen sources for N-containing chemicals. Herein, a series of pyridinium-based ionic liquids were synthesized to directly catalyze the conversion of N -acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG, the monomer of chitin) to 3-acetamido-5-acetylfuran (3A5AF). The yield of 3A5AF in 1-carboxymethyl pyridinium chloride ionic liquid reached 37.49%, without any additives. Using B 2 O 3 and CaCl 2 as additives, the optimum yield increased to 67.37% at 180 °C in 20 min. In addition, HPLC-MS analysis has been utilized to elucidate the reaction mechanism. This research on turning “waste” into “wealth” opens up new ways for the utilization of biomass waste, which not only reduces environmental pollution but also has potential economic value.