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Synthesis of brønsted and lewis acidic solid catalyst for glucose conversion into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

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Abstract

Solid acid catalysts containing both Brønsted acidic and Lewis acidic sites were hydrothermally prepared in this work to convert glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). A series of catalysts was synthesized by combining metal salts (CuSO4, ZrOCl2, Al2(SO4)3, Co (NO3)2) with 2,4,6-trimethylbenzene-1,3,5-trimethylphosphonic acid (H6L) as a ligand in a hydrothermal reaction. Additionally, either 2,2-bipyridyl or 4,4-bipyridyl was added as an auxiliary ligand to adjust the internal structure and enhance the Brønsted acid strength of the catalyst, resulting in solid acid catalysts with varying Lewis acid site content. Catalyst characterization demonstrated that 4,4-bipyridine was more effective in enhancing Brønsted acid strength compared to 2,2-bipyridine. Glucose dehydration was performed to synthesize 5-HMF in a two-phase reaction solvent composed of saturated brine, sec-butanol, and methyl isobutyl ketone (1:1.6:4 ratio) at 463 K. The experiments results indicated that the CoL4 catalyst achieved a conversion yield of 89.1% and exhibited excellent thermal stability. The present study emphasizes the comparison and selection of bipotent acid solid catalysts containing different metal active sites for light use in the dehydration of glucose to 5-HMF.

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Data availability

The data used and analysed in this study can be accessed at the links in the references.

Abbreviations

Names:

Interpretations

H6L:

2,4,6-Trimethylbenzene-1,3,5-trimethylphosphonic acid

5-HMF:

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural

2,2′-bipy:

2,2′-Bipyridyl

4,4′-bipy:

4,4′-Bipyridyl

GVL:

γ-Valerolactone

CuL2:

Synthesized using CuSO4·5H2O, H6L and 2,2′-bipyridyl

ZrL2:

Synthesized using ZrOCl2·8H2O, H6L and 2,2′-bipyridyl

ZrL4:

Synthesized using ZrOCl2·8H2O, H6L and 4,4′-bipyridyl

AlL2:

Synthesized using Al2(SO4)3·18H2O, H6L and 2,2′-bipyridyl

AlL4:

Synthesized using Al2(SO4)3·18H2O, H6L and 4,4′-bipyridyl

CoL2:

Synthesized using Co(NO3)2·6H2O, H6L and 2,2′-bipyridyl

CoL4:

Synthesized using Co(NO3)2·6H2O, H6L and 4,4′-bipyridyl

TGA:

Thermogravimetric Analysis

SEM:

Scanning Electron Microscope

EA/ICP:

Elemental analysis / Inductively Coupled Plasma

FTIR:

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer

Py-FTIR:

Pyridine adsorption Fourier-transform infrared

MIBK:

Methyl isobutyl ketone

NMR:

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21374029 and 21776076) and the Open Research Fund of Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, East China Normal University. We also thank Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. JKA01221712).

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China,21374029,Rui Zhang,21776076,Rui Zhang,Central Universities,JKA01221712,Rui Zhang

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  1. Engineering Research Center of Large Scale Reactor Engineering and Technology Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China

    Peng Yu & Rui Zhang

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  1. Peng Yu
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  2. Rui Zhang
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Correspondence to Rui Zhang.

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Yu, P., Zhang, R. Synthesis of brønsted and lewis acidic solid catalyst for glucose conversion into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Reac Kinet Mech Cat 138, 1569–1582 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11144-025-02812-4

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