One-Pot Synthesis of 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid from Fructose in Ionic Liquids

Abstract

2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), which is usually produced from HMF catalyzed by noble metal catalysts, is an important biobased monomer for the degradable polymer polyethylene furandicarboxylate (PEF). In order to reduce the high costs of starting material and catalysts, a novel approach for the direct conversion of fructose into FDCA was developed by employing [Bmim]Cl as a solvent with non-noble metal (Fe–Zr–O) as a catalyst. Relatively high FDCA yield was obtained at full fructose conversion under optimal conditions. The kinetic study revealed that the oxidation of intermediate FFCA to FDCA possessed the highest activation energy, indicating this step is most affected by reaction temperature. Additionally, in the IL-promoted reaction system, other biomass sources, such as glucose, galactose, mannose, starch, and cellulose also can be directly converted, with lower FDCA yield compared with that of fructose due to the ineffective isomerization of aldohexoses into fructose.