Heterogeneous catalysis in hydroxymethylfurfural conversion to fuels and chemicals

Abstract

Hydroxymethylfurfural is an important intermediate compound to produce biomass-based fine chemicals. The conventional organic reactions including oxidation, hydrogenation, reduction, and condensation can be used to transform hydroxymethylfurfural to different intermediates of fine chemicals where heterogeneous catalysts play significant roles. Furandicarboxylic acid, 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran, 2,5-furandicarboxyamide, and 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfurylamine are a few important value-added products obtained through oxidation, selective hydrogenation, oxidative amidation, and reductive amination of hydroxymethylfurfural, respectively. In addition, hydroxymethylfurfural is a precursor to synthesize monomers of polyester and polyurethane.