This technology develops an efficient catalyst based on epoxides, carbon monoxide, and alcohols, and synthesize (chiral) 3-hydroxycarboxylate esters in one step under mild conditions, achieving 100% atom economy. It successfully addresses the drawbacks of multiple steps, heavy pollution, and high costs in traditional processes. The resulting products are key intermediates for pharmaceuticals and pesticides, as well as monomers for fully biodegradable polyhydroxycarboxylate materials, contributing to solving white pollution.

Technology provider:Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences