Insert text for Table of Contents here. Use of transition metal oxide (MnO₂) as an alternative to noble metal catalysts in the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). Evidence for structure and redox behavior dependence of the desired product yield.

Abstract

Noble metal-free catalyst or catalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid are proposed in this study as a proposal to solve one of the great disadvantages of this reaction of using preferably noble metal-based catalysts. The catalytic activity of six MnO₂ crystal structures is studied as alternative. The obtained results showed a strong connection between catalytic activity the type of MnO₂ structure organization and redox behavior. Among all tested catalysts, ϵ-MnO₂ showed the best performance with an excellent yield of 74 % of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid at full -hydroxymethylfurfural conversion.