Enhanced Formation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural from Glucose Using a Silica-Supported Phosphate and Iron Phosphate Heterogeneous Catalyst

The production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from carbohydrates is scientifically valuable but technologically challenging. The silica-supported phosphate and ironic phosphate heterogeneous catalyst H3PO4–SiO2–FePO4(0.15) was prepared and used to catalyze the conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The morphologies, acidic properties and surface chemical state of the H3PO4–SiO2–FePO4(0.15) were characterized via XRD, FTIR, Py-FTIR, SEM, XPS, and NH3-TPD. The H3PO4–SiO2–FePO4(0.15) gave a high yield of HMF (76.3%) from glucose under 433 K for 100 min. The H3PO4–SiO2–FePO4(0.15) can be used for four runs without significant decrease of catalytic activity. The influence of the reaction conditions on the HMF yields is investigated, and the kinetic analysis was also carried out for the present catalytic system.