One-Pot Conversion of Cellulose into 2,5-Hexanedione in H₂O-Tetrahydrofuran Co-Solvents

Abstract

Catalytic conversion of cellulose into the novel platform molecule 2,5-hexanedione (HXD) is regarded as one feasible approach for high-value utilization of biomass resources. Here, we reported one efficient way of one-pot conversion of cellulose into HXD with high yield of 80.3% in H2O and tetrahydrofuran (THF) mixture within Al2(SO4)3 combined with Pd/C as a catalyst. In the catalytic reaction system, Al2(SO4)3 could catalyze the conversion of cellulose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and Pd/C combined with Al2(SO4)3 could catalyze the hydrogenolysis of HMF into furanic intermediates such as 5-methylfurfuryl alcohol and 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) without causing over-hydrogenation of these furanic intermediates. These furanic intermediates were finally transformed into HXD catalyzed by Al2(SO4)3. Besides, the H2O/THF ratio could significantly influence the reactivity of the hydrolytic furanic ring-opening of the furanic intermediates. The catalytic system also showed excellent performance on the conversion of other carbohydrates (glucose and sucrose) into HXD.

Photocatalytic selective oxidation of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-diformylfuran under ambient conditions over CdIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunctions

“…Green chemicals from biomass platform molecules have been gradually replacing the traditional production model of petrochemical products. 1,2 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a versatile platform molecule that can be converted into a range of highvalue chemicals through hydrolysis, hydrogenation, halogenation, and redox reactions. 3,4 Due to the versatility of HMF upgrading routes, it has been named "The Sleeping Giant" to describe its great potential for the catalytic conversion of biomass.…”