Issue 5, 2023

Efficient synthesis of 5-methyl-2-furancarboxylic acid via selective hydrogenolysis of bio-renewable 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid on Pd/C catalysts at ambient temperature

Abstract

5-Methyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (MFA) is an important substituted furoic acid with versatile applications. However, its synthesis processes are not green and efficient. Here, we report a novel route to the sustainable synthesis of MFA from bio-renewable 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HMFA) by the direct cleavage of the C–OH bond in HMFA at ambient temperature. Active carbon (C)-supported Pd catalysts exhibited high efficiency and stability in HMFA hydrogenolysis to MFA, providing a high yield of 94.5% at 30 °C and 3.0 MPa H2 in tetrahydrofuran. Such a high efficiency of Pd/C was found to be related to the strong adsorption of HMFA on the C support surfaces, most likely via their π–π interactions. This work provides an efficient strategy for the selective cleavage of the α-C–OH bonds in the furan ring under mild conditions and the sustainable production of MFA and its derivatives from biomass resources.

Graphical abstract: Efficient synthesis of 5-methyl-2-furancarboxylic acid via selective hydrogenolysis of bio-renewable 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid on Pd/C catalysts at ambient temperature

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
04 Dec 2022
Accepted
08 Feb 2023
First published
08 Feb 2023

Green Chem., 2023,25, 1991-1999

Efficient synthesis of 5-methyl-2-furancarboxylic acid via selective hydrogenolysis of bio-renewable 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid on Pd/C catalysts at ambient temperature

X. Xu, C. Hong and H. Liu, Green Chem., 2023, 25, 1991 DOI: 10.1039/D2GC04608C

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