Solvent issues in the Baylis-Hillman reaction of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) and 5-glucosyloxymethyl furfural (GMF). Towards no-solvent conditions

The possibility to apply solventless conditions for the Baylis-Hillman reaction of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) and its glucosylated analogue, glucosyloxymethyl furfural (GMF) has been investigated. This study shows that highly functionalized adducts can be obtained in fair to good yields, under the conditions combining the renewability of the substrates, the straightforwardness of the strategy, and the lowered cost and toxicity of the solvent conditions. The issue of the polarity of the furanic substrate is addressed by comparing HMF with furfural and GMF.