Selective oxidation of HMF to DFF using Ru/gamma-alumina catalyst in moderate boiling solvents toward industrial production

Abstract

Selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF) to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) toward industrial production was studied over Ru supported gamma-alumina catalyst using molecular oxygen as an oxidant. From the solvents screening, considering recyclability after reaction, toluene was found to be the best solvent and gave maximum conversion of 99% with 97% DFF selectivity at 130 degrees C and 40 psi O-2 pressure. Catalyst was washed with NaOH solution of pH = 12 to remove the adsorbed polymer impurities and then reused up to 5 cycles. The product could be purified by simple evaporation of the solvent, which could add advantage for industrial process. (C) 2012 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.