Title:Recent Advances on the Use of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) in Biotransformations
VOLUME: 5 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Andres R. Alcantara* and Pablo Dominguez de Maria*
Affiliation:Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Section of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza de Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Sustainable Momentum, SL. Av. Ansite 3, 4-6, Las Palmas Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Keywords:2-methyltetrahydrofuran, biogenic solvents, biocatalysis, biotransformations, green chemistry, API.
Abstract:2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) has become a broadly used (biogenic) solvent in organic
synthesis, particularly with promising applications in biocatalysis, due to its excellent behaviour and favourable
properties. 2-MeTHF may be derived from renewable sources - such as furfural or levulinic acid
and its low water solubility facilitates its complete recovery in reactions in aqueous media, reducing
wastes and simplifying the recycling and reuse. 2-MeTHF properties typically outperform those of traditional
solvents (such as THF), enabling its application in a wide range of chemical and enzymatic synthetic
processes. Remarkably, this trend can be observed not only in academia, but also at industrial
scale, where companies start to assess 2-MeTHF for the replacement of non-GRAS solvents (Generally
Regarded As Safe). Given that increasing importance, this mini-review discusses the recent advances in
biocatalysis using 2-MeTHF, with applications for different enzymes (hydrolases, oxidoreductases, lyases,
etc.), as well as in innovative combinations such as gas-liquid mixtures (CO2-2-MeTHF expanded
phase), in multi-step enzymatic systems, and flow biocatalysis. The combination of 2-MeTHF with the
intrinsic sustainability associated with biotransformations creates an attractive synergy.
