Direct Reductive Amination of HMF to 5‐(Aminomethyl)‐2‐furanmethanol Using Supported Iridium‐based Catalysts

Abstract In this work, partial reductive amination of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) with gaseous ammonia over iridium supported on γ‐Al 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , SiO 2 and carbon has been studied. The influence of the support and pressure was investigated in the valorization under mild conditions of HMF to 5‐(aminomethyl)‐2‐furanmethanol (AMFM). The catalysts were characterized by TEM, SEM‐EDS, N 2 sorption Isotherms, TGA, CO‐Chemisorption, TPR, XRD, NH 3 ‐TPD, ICP‐AES and XPS. The maximum activity and high rates were obtained for all catalytic systems. At 50 minutes of the reaction the Ir/C catalyst achieved 93 % of conversion and exhibited the highest yield and selectivity of 92 % and 99 % respectively, to the desired product 5‐(aminomethyl)‐2‐furanmethanol. The main properties that influence activity and selectivity are related to the amount of iridium on the surface and catalyst acidity. After the third cycle, 63 % and 59 % of selectivity and yield to AMFM respectively at 93 % of conversion were obtained.