Preparation of 2,5-Bis(Aminomethyl)Furan by Direct Reductive Amination of 2,5-Diformylfuran over Nickel-Raney Catalysts

The direct reductive amination of 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) with ammonia to 2,5-bis(aminomethyl)furan (BAF) was demonstrated, for the first time, over the commercial type Nickel-Raney and acid treated Nickel-Raney catalysts. The effects of reaction parameters such as reaction medium, temperature and hydrogen pressure were described. The acid treated Nickel-Raney catalyst exhibited the highest BAF yield in the THF-water mixed reaction medium. The relatively higher Ni0 species composition and larger surface area of the acid treated Nickel-Raney catalyst with specific reaction conditions contributed greatly to the BAF formation. The oligomeric species, such as furanic imine trimers and tetramers confirmed by MALDI-MS analysis were presented as the intermediates of DFF reductive amination.