Catalytic oxidation of biomass derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) over RuIII-incorporated zirconium phosphate catalyst

In this study, a new ruthenium catalyst was used for the oxidation of biomass derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) under mild conditions, which was prepared by the exchange of Ru3+ with H+ in the structure of the zirconium phosphate (ZrP). The as-prepared ZrP–Ru catalyst showed high catalytic activity towards the oxidation of HMF, affording 100% of HMF conversion at 130°C after 12h under atmospheric oxygen pressure. 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) were detected to be the major oxidation products.