Applications
The most important group of FDCA conversions is undoubtedly the polymerization. The potential applications of furan based building blocks for polymer applications has been extensively reviewed by Gandini. Examples of polyesters, polyamides and polyurethanes have been described in literature. The company Avantium claims to have developed a cost effective route to produce FDCA and the derived polyesters via so-called YXY Building Blocks. FDCA has also been applied in pharmacology. It was demonstrated that its diethyl ester had a strong anaesthetic action similar to cocaine. Dicalcium 2,5-furandicarboxylate was shown to inhibit the growth of Baccillus megatorium. Screening studies on FDCA-derived anilides showed their important anti-bacterial action. The diacid itself is a strong complexing agent, chelating such ions as: Ca2+, Cu2+ and Pb2+, it is utilized in medicine to remove kidney stones. Interestingly, HMF is metabolized via FDCA in mammals including humans. A very diluted solution of FDCA in tetrahydrofuran is utilized for preparing artificial veins for transplantation. At the beginning of this chapter, it was mentioned that FDCA is a chemically stable compound. This property has been well benefited in industry – FDCA as most of polycarboxylic acids can be an ingredient of fire foams. Such foams help to extinguish fires in a short time caused by polar and non-polar solvents.
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