The integration of catalyst design and process intensification in the efficient synthesis of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid from fructose

Abstract The integration of catalyst design and process intensification in the synthesis of 5‑hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid was realized directly from fructose. A novel bifunctional catalyst derived from lignin was developed for the dehydration of fructose. Supported catalysts derived from silver was developed for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural for 5‑hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid. The product distribution both in dehydration and oxidation process would be controlled through the adjustment of solvent effect. The structure in bifunctional catalysts was adjusted to reveal the effect of molecular skeletons on the catalytic performance. The constitution of supported catalysts was investigated to illustrate the support effect. Accordingly, the mechanism and synergetic effect in the catalyst were proposed through computational studies based on density functional theory and control experiments. Microwave irradiation was applied in the dehydration reaction, requiring adequate and efficient energy supply. Flow chemistry was employed in the oxidation of HMF, improving reaction efficiency.