Study of the direct co2 carboxylation reaction on supported metal nanoparticles

Abstract

2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (2,5‐FDCA) is a biomass derivate of high importance that is used as a building block in the synthesis of green polymers such as poly(ethylene furandicarbox-ylate) (PEF). PEF is presumed to be an ideal substitute for the predominant polymer in industry, the poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Current routes for 2,5‐FDCA synthesis require 5‐hy-droxymethylfurfural (HMF) as a reactant, which generates undesirable co‐products due to the com-plicated oxidation step. Therefore, direct CO2 carboxylation of furoic acid salts (FA, produced from furfural, derivate of inedible lignocellulosic biomass) to 2,5‐FDCA is potentially a good alternative. Herein, we present the primary results obtained on the carboxylation reaction of potassium 2‐fu-roate (K2F) to synthesize 2,5‐FDCA, using heterogeneous catalysts. An experimental setup was firstly validated, and then several operation conditions were optimized, using heterogeneous catalysts instead of the semi‐heterogeneous counterparts (molten salts). Ag/SiO2 catalyst showed inter-esting results regarding the K2F conversion and space–time yield of 2,5‐FDCA.