From Sawdust to Cyrene™ – A Journey in Many Parts
Abstract
Levoglucosenone (LGO) and Cyrene™ can today be regarded as “bio-privileged chiral molecules” that were until very recently produced sustainably from a variety of waste lignocellulosic biomass resources in tonne quantities at 99+% purity. The commercial and technological development paths for these two molecules are reviewed including the geopolitical factors that led to the recent abandonment of large-scale production of these compounds. Recent developments in the chemistry of both LGO and Cyrene™ are also reviewed.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Catalysis for Biomass Conversion
Biofuel production and bioconversion
Lignin and Wood Chemistry
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Royal Society of Chemistry eBooks
- Pages
- 16–46
- Publication date
- 14 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter