Use of Halogens in the Production of 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid

A method of producing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid comprising:

• mixing a solution including 4-deoxy-5-dehydroglucaric acid and water with a solvent and a catalyst in a reaction vessel to form a reaction mixture;
• heating the reaction mixture to a temperature no greater than 150° C.;
• allowing the 4-deoxy-5-dehydroglucaric acid to react in the presence of the solvent and the catalyst to produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, water, and byproducts;
• removing the water produced during the reaction continuously or periodically;
• and
• removing the 2,5-furandicarboxlic acid from the reaction product,
• wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, trifluoroacetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, formic acid, N-methylpyrrolidone, ionic liquids, hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, hydroiodic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and combinations thereof,
• wherein the catalyst includes a halogen selected from the group consisting of a halide salt, a hydrohalic acid, an elemental ion, and combinations thereof,
• wherein the catalyst includes greater than 55% by weight halogen based on total weight of the reaction mixture, and
• wherein the byproducts produced include lactones.