Nanopalladium-Decorated Sn-Na MOF Catalyst for Upgrading Biosugars to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in an Aqueous Medium

Thepresent study explores the solvothermal synthesis of the Sn-NaMOF composed of stannatranone cages interconnected through Na bridges.The MOF was used as a catalytic support to hold palladium nanoparticles.The nanopalladium-decorated Sn-Na MOF (Pd NPs/Sn-Na MOF) was characterizedby FTIR, PXRD, SEM, TEM, NH3-TPD, and XPS analysis. Theresulting composite Pd NPs/Sn-Na MOF demonstrated catalytic activityfor the conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF),which is a promising material for the production of various value-addedchemicals. The catalyst shows rapid conversion (in 3 h), recyclability(up to 5 cycles), and a high yield of 5-HMF (92.4%) in an aqueousmedium without the formation of the side product levullinic acid.Further, the successful conversion of stale and rotten apples to 5-HMFusing the developed protocol justifies the scope to convert agrowastesugars to value-added products with appreciable yield.

Automated summary

The present study synthesized Sn-NaMOF using solvothermal method and used it as a support for Pd nanoparticles. The resulting Pd NPs/Sn-Na MOF showed excellent catalytic activity for the conversion of fructose to 5-HMF. The catalyst exhibited fast conversion, recyclability, and high yield of 5-HMF in aqueous medium without the formation of side products.