The present disclosure is directed to methods and composition used in the preparation of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids and esters from higher sugars using a tandem catalyst system comprising retro-aldol catalysts and Lewis acid catalysts. In some embodiments, these alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids may be prepared from pentoses and hexoses. The retro-aldol and Lewis catalysts may be characterized by their respective ability to catalyze a 1,2-carbon shift reaction and a 1,2-hydride shift reaction on an aldose or ketose substrate.
本公开涉及使用串联催化剂系统,包括反-醛酸催化剂和Lewis酸催化剂,从较高的糖中制备α-羟基
羧酸和酯的方法和组合物。在某些实施例中,这些α-羟基
羧酸可以从戊糖和己糖中制备。反-醛酸和Lewis催化剂可通过它们各自在醛糖或酮糖底物上催化1,2-碳迁移反应和1,2-氢迁移反应的能力来表征。