One-Step conversion to a disubstituted cyclopentenone from 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose and application to synthesis of prostaglandin e₁ methyl ester

We have developed a facile one-step conversion of 2-deoxy-D-glucose to form a disubstituted cyclopentenone through catalyst-free hydrothermal reaction under mild conditions. The use of 2-deoxy-D-glucose in one-pot conversion is to provide the formation of a carbon five-membered ring instead of the common biomass-derived furans such as furfural, 5-HMF, etc. The cyclopentenone has a potential to be a building block for the preparation of chemical products. As one example, we successfully demonstrated the synthesis of prostaglandin E₁ methyl ester.