Safer, more efficient electrochemical method to convert agricultural waste (biomass) into high-value chemical building blocks

https://phys.org/news/2026-03-chemists-harness-electricity-biomass-based.html

"2(5H)-furanone, used manufacturing medicines, plastics, fragrances, is sourced from fossil fuels using toxic, corrosive, difficult to transport/ store liquid bromine, overcome using stable/ harmless sodium bromide... when electric current applied, oxidizes into bromine only at moment needed/ immediately consumed by reaction... single- compartment reactor (was divided), more energy efficient, cheaper... uses furfural derived from corn cobs/ wood scraps... bromide salt can be recycled and reused"