Julia Naulapää

My research revolves around the synthesis and implementation of calixpyrroles and calixarenes bearing functional groups facilitating acid-catalyzed dehydration. The aim is to bring this dehydration into the aqueous phase via conducting the reaction in a surfactant-calixarene co-micelle.
The catalysis is used to convert common monosaccharides into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural while limiting any run-off or side reactions. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural is a compound used in the production of more valuable molecules, for example 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid which has potential as a alternative fuel.