Sustainable Catalytic Transformation of Biomass-Derived 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), one of the most important platform molecules in biorefinery, can be directly obtained from a vast diversity of biomass materials. Owing to the reactive functional groups (-CHO and -CH2OH) in the structure, this versatile building block undertakes several transformations to provide a wealth of high value-added products. Among numerous well-established paradigms, the catalytic hydrogenation of 5-HMF towards 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran (BHMTHF) is of great interest because this downstream diol can be exploited in a wide range of industrial applications. Not surprisingly, incessant endeavors from both academia and industry to upgrade this catalytic process have been established over the years. The main aim of this Review was to provide a comprehensive overview on the development of heterogeneous metal catalysts for the 5-HMF-to-BHMTHF transformation. Herein, the rational design and utility of hydrogenating catalysts were elaborated in many aspects including metal types (Ni, Co, Pd, Ru, Pt, and bimetals), solid supports, preparation method, recyclability, operating conditions, and reaction regime (batch and continuous flow). In addition, the assessment of cooperative catalysts to convert carbohydrates into BHMTHF under one-pot cascade, tentative mechanism, as well as prospects and challenges for the chemo-selective hydrogenation of 5-HMF were also highlighted.

Automated summary

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the development of heterogeneous metal catalysts for the transformation of 5-HMF to BHMTHF. It covers various aspects including the design, preparation, recyclability, and reaction conditions of hydrogenating catalysts. The review also highlights the assessment of cooperative catalysts in the one-pot cascade and the prospects and challenges for the chemo-selective hydrogenation of 5-HMF.