The Efficient Oxidation of Biomass-Derived 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural to Produce 2,5-Diformylfuran Over Supported Cobalt Catalysts

Abstract The catalytic synthesis of 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) attracts extensive attention in the research of biomass conversion. However, it is a challenge to achieve high conversion of HMF under mild conditions with a heterogeneous catalyst, which can be easily separated and recycled. Herein, we report a novel cobalt-based catalyst (Co x O y -N@TiO 2 ) for the oxidation of HMF to DFF with 30 % aqueous tert -butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant. A series of Co-based catalysts were prepared by a typical impregnation method, and detected by XRD, TEM and FT-IR techniques. Based on the experimental results of catalytic test, it is found that a 91 % conversion of HMF and 40 % selectivity of DFF was obtained with the Co x O y -N@TiO 2 catalyst at 80 °C within 5 h. In addition, the Co x O y -N@TiO 2 can be recycled up to five times without significant loss of activity. Graphical Abstract The efficient oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, a biomass-derived platform compound, to produce 2,5-diformylfuran is achieved using Co x O y -N@TiO 2 catalyst under mild conditions.