Muconic Acid: An Underexplored Building Block for Fine Organic Synthesis

ABSTRACT This mini review describes recent achievements in the production and chemical transformations of muconic acid (hexa‐2,4‐dienedioic acid, HO 2 CCH═CHCH═CHCO 2 H). Muconic acid may be obtained from renewable lignocellulosic materials, and it is considered as a bio‐based platform molecule. This acid has a great practical value due to its hydrogenation into adipic acid, which is used for nylon production. Muconic acid and its derivatives take part in many important and useful synthetic transformations such as Diels‐Alder reactions, isomerization, lactonization, polymerization, polycondensation, and others. However, up to the moment, muconic acid is not yet widely used in the fine organic synthesis. This review is focused on preparation, reactions, and on some novel applications of muconic acid and its derivatives in organic synthesis. The aim of this review is to attract attention to muconic acid, which has a high potential to be a valuable precursor for preparation of novel compounds and materials.