Synthesis of value-added furan compounds from biomass derived glucose via cascade catalysis using functionalized V2O5 catalysts

Abstract

• Both organic and inorganic surface functionalization of V 2 O 5 NPs and their characterization have been studied. • Surface of V2O5 NPs modified with trimesic acid has led to the formation vanadium fibers are highly active in the synthesis of DFF. • Functionalized vanadia has been utilized in the one pot conversion of glucose to DFF in good yields via cascade catalysis. • The nitro alcohol product (1,1’-(furan-2,5-diyl)bis(2-nitroethan-1-ol) was synthesized directly from biomass derived glucose. In this paper we report the highly active, versatile and stable catalyst has been prepared through surface functionalization of vanadium oxide nanoparticles (V 2 O 5 NPs) using various organic modifiers. The surface modified catalyst forms fiber type of structure has been evaluated in the cascade catalysis of glucose to 2,5-diformyl furan (DFF) in water. Further, nitro alcohol product (1,1’-(furan-2,5-diyl)bis(2-nitroethan-1-ol) was synthesized by adding nitromethane and potassium carbonate to DFF formed ( in situ) from biomass. This is a new representative of work using heterogeneous catalysis utilizing surface modified NPs. High thermal stability, high crystallinity with a band gap (5.03 eV) and fibrous nature makes the surface modified catalyst attractive to recycle in DFF synthesis from glucose. In addition, orthorhombic V 2 O 5 NPs have been deposited on high surface area carbon (Vulcan XC72R) were prepared, characterized and studied in catalysis of biomass conversion.