Oxidation of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid catalyzed by carbon nanotube-supported Pd catalysts

The selective oxidation of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) in this work was proven as a promising route to produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), an emerging bio-based building-block with wide application. Under ambient pressure, the modified carbon nanotube-supported Pd-based catalysts demonstrate the maximum FDCA yield of 93.0% with a full conversion of BHMF after 60 min at 60 °C, much superior to that of the traditional route using 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) as substrates (only a yield of 35.7%). The participation of PdHx active species with metallic Pd can be responsible for the encouraging performance. Meanwhile, a possible reaction pathway proceeding through 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) and 5-formyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (FFCA) as process intermediates is suggested for BHMF route. The present work may provide new opportunities to synthesize other high value-added oxygenates by using BHMF as an alternative feedstock.