Synthesis of straight-chain C49H100 alkane using a modular splicing strategy

Ultra -long n-alkanes are highly valuable in both scientific research and as major constituents of specialty high -melting -point waxes. Unlike conventional methods (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch (FT), ethylene oligomerization, and polyethylene cracking) typically resulting in wide n-alkane distributions, the elaborate design strategy presented herein allows the direct synthesis of pure, long n-alkanes using a modular splicing method with acetone, furfural, and fatty acid anhydrides or acyl chlorides as bio-blocks. The herein approach is based on a simple four -step catalytic reaction scheme involving C-C chain elongation and C-O bond activation. The synthesized pure n-alkanes had a carbon chain length as high as C49 (total yield of 49%). The synthesis approach also allows to selectively prepare n-alkanes with even and odd carbon numbers ranging from C15 to C49. This process represents a great breakthrough in the synthesis of long -chain pure n-alkanes, surpassing the carbon number limitations reported in previous methodologies. (c) 2023 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. and Science Press All rights reserved.