5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Oxidation to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid on Noble Metal-Free Nanocrystalline Mixed Oxide Catalysts

Noble metal-free catalysts based on earth-abundant and inexpensive mixed oxides are active catalysts of all steps of the reaction cascade leading from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidation agent. Catalysts covering the whole range of composition in the Cu-Mn and Co-Fe series have been prepared and characterised. The nature and composition of the catalyst strongly affect conversion and selectivity. The distribution of products indicates that radical-type oxygen species, deriving from the activation of TBHP, play a determining role in the reaction. The early steps of reaction mainly follow the pattern expected for heterogeneous Fenton catalysts. Mixed oxide catalysts are the most effective in further oxidation steps, leading to the formation of FDCA, both in the Cu-Mn and Co-Fe systems. This behaviour can be related to the distribution of charge in the mixed oxides, suggesting a possible implication of the lattice oxygen in the last reaction steps. The results provide indications on how to optimize the reaction and minimize the formation of byproducts (humins and oligomers).

A Perspective on Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Selective Oxidation of Alcohols

Selective oxidation of higher alcohols using heterogeneous catalysts is an important reaction in the synthesis of fine chemicals with added value. Though the process for primary alcohol oxidation is industrially established, there is still a lack of fundamental understanding considering the complexity of the catalysts and their dynamics under reaction conditions, especially when higher alcohols and liquid‐phase reaction media are involved. Additionally, new materials should be developed offering higher activity, selectivity, and stability. This can be achieved by unraveling the structure–performance correlations of these catalysts under reaction conditions. In this regard, researchers are encouraged to develop more advanced characterization techniques to address the complex interplay between the solid surface, the dissolved reactants, and the solvent. In this mini‐review, we report some of the most important approaches taken in the field and give a perspective on how to tackle the complex challenges for different approaches in alcohol oxidation while providing insight into the remaining challenges.

Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol Using Cobalt Oxide Supported Inside and Outside Hollow Carbon Spheres

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (6 nm) supported both inside and outside of hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) were synthesized by using two different polymer templates. The oxidation of benzyl alcohol was used as a model reaction to evaluate the catalysts. PXRD studies indicated that the Co oxidation state varied for the different catalysts due to reduction of the Co by the carbon, and a metal oxidation step prior to the benzyl alcohol oxidation enhanced the catalytic activity. The metal loading influenced the catalytic efficiency, and the activity decreased with increasing metal loading, possibly due to pore filling effects. The catalysts showed similar activity and selectivity (to benzaldehyde) whether placed inside or outside the HCS (63 % selectivity at 50 % conversion). No poisoning was observed due to product build up in the HCS.

Selective Catalytic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol to Benzaldehyde by Nitrates

In this paper, ferric nitrate was used to oxidize benzyl alcohol in a mild condition and demonstrated its better performance compared to HNO₃. In the reaction, the conversion rate and product selectivity could be both as high as 95% in N₂ atmosphere, while the benzaldehyde yield also reached 85% in air. Similar to Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, the other metallic nitrates such as Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O and Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O could also oxidize the benzyl alcohol with high activity. The applicability of Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O for other benzylic alcohol was also investigated, and the reaction condition was optimized at the same time. The results showed the Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O would be more conducive in oxidizing benzyl alcohol under the anaerobic condition. The experiments in N₂ or O₂ atmospheres were conducted separately to study the catalytic mechanism of Fe(NO₃)₃. The results showed the co-existence of Fe³⁺ and NO3- will generate high activity, while either was with negligible oxidation property. The cyclic transformation of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ provided the catalytic action to the benzyl alcohol oxidation. The role of NO3- was also an oxidant, by providing HNO₂ in anaerobic condition, while NO3- would be regenerated from NO in aerobic condition. O₂ did not oxidize the benzyl alcohol conversion directly, while it could still be beneficial to the procedure by eliminating the unwelcome NO and simultaneously reinforcing the circulation of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺, which therefore forms a green cyclic oxidation. Hence, the benzyl alcohol oxidation was suggested in an air atmosphere for efficiency and the need of green synthesis.