Mechanistic Studies into the Selective Production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic Acid from 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan Using Au-Pd Bimetallic Catalyst Supported on Nitrated Carbon Material

Aerobic oxidation of bio-sourced 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) to 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a renewable and green alternative petroleum-derived terephthalic (TPA), is great significance in chemicals production. Herein, hierarchical porous bowl-like nitrogen-rich (nitrated) carbon-supported bimetallic Au-Pd nanocatalysts (AumPdn/ N-BNxC) with different nitrogen content bimetal nanoparticle sizes were developed employed for the highly efficient aerobic BHMF FDCA sodium carbonate aqueous solution. The reaction pathway catalytic went through steps BHMF→HMF→HMFCA→FFCA→FDCA. Kinetics studies showed that activation energies BHMF, HMF, HMFCA, FFCA 58.1 kJ·moL−1, 39.1 129.2 56.3 respectively, indicating intermediate HMFCA was rate-determining step. ESR tests proved active species superoxide radical. Owing synergy between carbon support nanoparticles, Au1Pd1/N-BN2C exhibited conversion 100% yield 95.8% under optimal conditions. Furthermore, good stability reusability. This work provides versatile strategy design heterogeneous catalysts production from BHMF.