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

Abstract

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.