Chemistry, not biology: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to C5 and C6 sugars

Four axioms start this presentation by David Dodds, on C5 and C6 sugar opportunities, at a breezy pace:

1. If you are making a molecule from another molecule, you are a chemist, doing chemistry.
2. Synthetic biology is merely chemistry conducted by other means. “Bio” does not change the molecule.
3. Think outside the fermentation tank. You don’t always need help from micro-organisms.
4. Don’t re-invent the (reaction). There are 150 years of organic chemistry available, and pharma and oil have already paid for it.

In the remainder of the presentation, Dodds takes us on the thoughtful tour of C5 and C6 sugar opportunities, including stereochemistry, aromatics, EG, PG, polyols, HMF, diacids, THF, BDO, PTMEG and more, in this fascinating and illuminating deck below.