AuPd‐Fe3O4 Nanoparticle‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Furan‐2,5‐dimethylcarboxylate from 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural under Mild Conditions

Abstract Efficient one‐pot oxidative esterification of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to furan‐2,5‐dimethylcarboxylate (FDMC) was achieved under extremely mild reaction conditions by using AuPd alloy nanoparticles (NPs) supported on Fe3O4. A high yield of FDMC (92 %) was obtained at room temperature under atmospheric O2. The reaction proceeded through the synergistic effects of the AuPd heterobimetallic catalyst system. The most effective molar ratio of noble metal contents for HMF oxidation was 1.00:1.18. If Au‐Fe3O4 NPs were used as the catalyst, selective synthesis of 5‐hydroxymethylfuroic acid methyl ester (HMFE) was achieved. Additionally, the AuPd‐Fe3O4 catalyst could be successfully reused.