Base-free aerobic oxidation on Pt/OMS-2 for the synthesis of tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid: a bio-based flexible diacid

Abstract

Exciting opportunities in biomass catalytic conversion have spurred extensive research and development into the chemical utilization of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and its derivatives. In this study, we achieved efficient base-free aerobic oxidation of HMF-derived tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dimethanol (THFDM) to tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (THFDCA) on a Pt/OMS-2 catalyst, offering a potential alternative to petroleum-based 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (CHDA). Oxygen vacancies on the catalyst support played a crucial role in the oxidation process by enhancing surface lattice oxygen mobility and facilitating the oxidation of THFDM via the Mars-van Krevelen (MvK) mechanism. This in-depth exploration of bio-based products presents a promising avenue for the production of high-value building blocks.