FeVO4 decorated –SO3H functionalized polyaniline for direct conversion of sucrose to 2,5-diformylfuran & 5-ethoxymethylfurfural and selective oxidation reaction

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.mcat.2018.12.017

In this study, a multi-functional catalyst, FeVO₄ supported –SO₃H functionalized polyaniline is prepared. First FeVO₄ supported polyaniline is prepared. Then the resultant material is sulfonated using chlorosulphonic acid to obtain FeVO₄ supported –SO₃H functionalized polyaniline. This multi-functional catalyst exhibits excellent activity in the synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from sucrose and oxidation of a wide range of aromatic and aliphatic alcohols. Further, the catalyst exhibits very good activity in the one-pot direct conversion of sucrose/fructose to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) and 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF). This catalytic process involves the economical sucrose as a reactant and economical multi-functional catalyst based on polyaniline. In this one-pot, two-step process, -SO₃H functionalized polyaniline is used in the first step for the conversion of sucrose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) followed by selective oxidation of HMF to DFF using FeVO₄ sites present in the multi-functional catalyst. Moreover, acidic sites present in the multi-functional catalyst are suitable for the conversion of sucrose/fructose/HMF to EMF. Furthermore, molecular oxygen (1 atmosphere, 10 ml/min) is used as an eco-friendly and economical oxidant for the selective oxidation of a wide range of aromatic and aliphatic alcohols to aldehydes. The multi-functional catalyst presented here has been easily separated and recycled that make the process sustainable and economical for commercial perspectives.