One-pot reduction of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural via hydrogen transfer from supercritical methanol

Catalytic conversion of HMF to valuable chemicals was achieved over a Cu-doped porous metal oxide in supercritical methanol. The hydrotalcite catalyst precursor is prepared following simple synthetic procedures, using inexpensive and earth-abundant starting materials in aqueous solutions. The hydrogen equivalents needed for the reductive deoxygenation of HMF originate from the solvent itself upon its reforming.

Dimethylfuran, dimethyltetrahydrofuran and 2-hexanol were obtained in good yields. At milder reaction temperatures, a combined yield (DMF + DMTHF) of 58% was achieved. Notably, the formation of higher boiling side products and undesired char from HMF is not detected under these reaction conditions.