Efficient aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural into 2, 5-diformylfuran by Cu2V2O7-Al2O3 spherical beads

Novel copper pyrovanadate (Cu2V2O7)-Al2O3 spherical beads were prepared by alginate-assisted sol-gel method using ammonium vanadate, copper nitrate, and pseudo boehmite as precursors, characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Brunner-Emmet-Teller (BET), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption technologies and used as catalysts for the selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF). The effects of calcination temperature on catalyst structure, morphology, and catalytic activity were investigated. The results showed that the formation of Cu2V2O7 crystalline phase at a high temperature can improve the catalyst activity significantly. Under the optimal reaction conditions, Cu2V2O7-Al2O3-700 exhibited an HMF conversion of 99.9% and DFF selectivity of 99.8%, respectively. After a five-run recycling test, the activity of the catalyst can remain about 80%.

Automated summary

Copper pyrovanadate-Al2O3 spherical beads prepared by alginate-assisted sol-gel method exhibit excellent catalytic activity for selective oxidation reactions. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the catalyst shows high conversion rate and selectivity. After multiple recycling tests, the catalyst retains its activity at a high level.