Efficient oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid over FeNPs@NH2-SBA-15 catalyst in water

Abstract Selective oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is significant for the sustainable synthesis of industrially important products such as polyethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate (PEF). Developing non-precious and proficient catalytic system are of great significance for the biomass-derived HMF to produce FDCA. Herein, we demonstrated a facile synthesis of Fe nanoparticles on NH2-functionalized SBA-15 (FeNPs@NH2-SBA-15) and employed as catalyst for the selective oxidation of HMF to FDCA. Rate of HMF conversion and FDCA formation over the present catalyst under low oxygen (O2) pressure (0.6 MPa) is investigated in detail. Various parameters such as catalyst loading, temperature, time, solvent, O2 pressure, catalyst regeneration and recyclability, revealed the efficiency of the catalyst with FDCA yield as high as 89.4% at 100% HMF conversion. In addition, the maximum yield of HMFCA was monitored as the FDCA formation and the oxidation reaction proceeds through HMFCA intermediate. Besides, the recyclability of the catalyst demonstrated high stability and reused long life (∼5 cycles). Such a protocol provides an alternative catalytic path to synthesize biomass derived value-added chemicals and intermediates.