Selective Aerobic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in Water Over Solid Ruthenium Hydroxide Catalysts with Magnesium-Based Supports

Solid catalyst systems comprised of ruthenium hydroxide supported on magnesium-based carrier materials (spinel, magnesium oxide and hydrotalcite) were investigated for the selective, aqueous aerobic oxidation of the biomass-derived chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDA), a possible plastics precursor. The novel catalyst systems were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, XRPD, TEM and EDS analysis, and applied for the oxidation with no added base at moderate to high pressures of dioxygen and elevated temperatures. The effects of support, temperature and oxidant pressure were studied and optimized to allow a quantitative yield of FDA to be obtained. Graphical Abstract