Manganese-catalyzed cross-coupling of primary alcohols with biomass-derived ethanol for upgrading to linear alcohols under solvent-free conditions

Bioethanol is a major raw chemical produced in large quantities by the fermentation of sugar-containing crops and lignocellulosic materials. As a consequence, there is a need for advanced methods to convert ethanol into fine chemicals. Here, we report the synthesis of higher-order alcohols by cross-coupling of ethanol with primary alcohols under solvent-free conditions, catalyzed by low amounts of a selective manganese pincer complex under mild reaction conditions with a stoichiometric amount of sodium ethoxide. Poisoning experiments suggest that the catalysis system is homogeneous.