Hydroxyapatite-Supported Polyoxometalates for the Highly Selective Aerobic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural or Glucose to 2,5-Diformylfuran under Atmospheric Pressure

(NH4)(5)H6PV8Mo4O40 supported on hydroxyapatite (HAP) (PMo4V8/HAP (n)) was prepared through the ion exchange of hydroxy groups. This ion exchange favored the oxidative conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) in a one-pot cascade reaction with 96.0 % conversion and 83.8 % yield under 10 mL/min of O-2 flow. PMo4V8/HAP (31) was used to explore the production of DFF directly from glucose with the highest yield of 47.9 % so far under atmospheric oxygen, whereas the yield of DFF increased to 54.7 % in a one-pot and two-step reaction. These results indicated that the active sites in PMo4V8/HAP (31) retained their activities without any interference toward one another, which enabled the production of DFF in a more cost-saving way by only using oxygen and one catalyst in a one-step reaction. Meanwhile, the rigid structure of HAP and strong interaction in PMo4V8/HAP (31) allowed this catalyst to be reused for at least six times with high stability and duration.

Automated summary

The catalyst NH4)(5)H6PV8Mo4O40 supported on hydroxyapatite showed efficient catalytic activity for the oxidative conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-diformylfuran. It can also be reused for at least six times with high stability and duration, making it a promising catalyst for cost-saving one-step reactions.