Synthesis of 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid from Fructose Employing a “One-Pot and Two-Step” Approach with Biotar-Derived Functional Catalysts

This paper investigated preparation of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a valuable platform chemical compound used in various applications, from fructose via a “one-pot and two-step” method catalyzed by biotar-derived porous functional catalysts in a single dimethyl sulfoxide solvent. In the first step, fructose dehydration, when catalyzed by a biotar-derived sulfonic solid acid catalyst, yielded an impressive 83.5% yield of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) as a major intermediate product under the reaction conditions of 150 °C and for 30 min, which was benefited from the successful acid functionalization of the catalyst by decoration of acid sites. To further advance the FDCA production in the second step, another biotar-derived nitrogen and Pt-Pd bimetal-doped carbon catalyst was employed for subsequent oxidation of HMF using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH) as the oxidant at 120 °C for 20 h. Due to the effective nitrogen doping and synergistic catalysis of the bimetallic catalyst, a 60.1% FDCA yield can be achieved in alkaline-free conditions throughout the process. This research provides valuable insights into the development of efficient and sustainable methods for FDCA synthesis, demonstrating the potential for greener and more cost-effective production processes in the future.