Efficient synthesis of 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran and 2,5-dimethylfuran from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using mineral-derived Cu catalysts as versatile catalysts

Selective conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) can produce sustainable fuels and chemicals. Herein, Cu-ZnO catalysts derived from minerals (malachite, rosasite and aurichalcite) were employed for selective hydrogenation of HMF for the first time. High yields of 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran (similar to 99.1%) and 2,5-dimethylfuran (similar to 91.8%) were obtained tunably over the catalyst with a Cu/Zn molar ratio of 2, due to the well-dispersed metal sites tailored by mineral precursors, well-controlled surface sites and optimized reaction conditions. The relationship between catalytic performance and catalyst properties was elucidated by characterization based on the composition and the structural and surface properties, and catalytic tests. The catalyst can also be extended to selective hydrogenation of other bio-derived molecules (furfural and 5-methylfurfural) to target products. The construction of mineral-derived Cu-ZnO catalysts and the revelation of the structure-performance relationship can be applied to further rational design and functionalization of non-noble Cu catalysts for selective conversion of bio-derived compounds.