Cover Feature: Production of 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic Acid Methyl Esters from Pectin‐Based Aldaric Acid: from Laboratory to Bench Scale (ChemSusChem 1/2024)

The Cover Feature shows the transformation of pectin‐rich side streams, such as sugar beet pulp and citrus processing waste, into 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) esters as bio‐based monomers. Galactaric acid, produced from pectin by oxidative fermentation, is a stable intermediate which is further dehydrated into FDCA esters in high yields using solid acid catalysts. In this work, the synthesis of FDCA methyl esters is shown from laboratory to bench scale, demonstrating the feasibility of the route. More information can be found in the Research Article by N. van Strien et al.