Sustainable synthesis of α-ketoglutaric and methanetriacetic acids from biomass feedstocks

Cheng-Bin Hong, Wangde Hua, Lieke Liu and Haichao Liu ()
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Cheng-Bin Hong: Peking University
Wangde Hua: Peking University
Lieke Liu: Peking University
Haichao Liu: Peking University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract α-Ketoglutaric acid (KGA) and methanetriacetic acid (MTA) are important multi-functional carboxylic acids with versatile applications. However, their synthetic processes are still not green and efficient. Herein, we report a novel one-pot approach for sustainable synthesis of KGA and MTA from biomass-derived pyruvic and glyoxylic acids under mild conditions. KGA is synthesized via cross-aldol condensation of pyruvic and glyoxylic acids to 2-hydroxy-4-oxopentanedioic acid, followed by its sequential dehydration and hydrogenation on Pd/TiO2, affording a high yield of 85.4% on a molar basis of glyoxylic acid at 110 °C and 1.0 MPa H2. The synthesis of MTA involves cross-aldol condensation of KGA and glyoxylic acid to 3-(carboxymethyl)-2-hydroxy-4-oxopentanedioic acid and its subsequent hydrodeoxygenation on Pd/TiO2 and MoOx/TiO2 in a high yield of 86.2% at 200 °C and 2.0 MPa H2. This novel approach provides a rationale for the sustainable production of various multi-functional carboxylic acids that are still not easily available.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56536-z

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