Catalyst and process for producing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid from hydroxymethylfurfural in water
AssigneeArcher Daniels Midland Company
InventorAlexandra Sanborn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process is described for converting hydroxymethylfurfural to furanic products inclusive of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, comprising combining a quantity of hydroxymethylfurfural with water to provide an aqueous solution containing at least about five percent by weight of hydroxymethylfurfural, and combining the aqueous solution with an oxygen source in the presence of a heterogeneous ruthenium-based catalyst and under conditions which are effective for oxidizing hydroxymethylfurfural to furanic oxidation products inclusive of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, but in the substantial absence of any solvent for either hydroxymethylfurfural or 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid other than water.
Claims8
A process for converting hydroxymethylfurfural to furanic products inclusive of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, comprising:
- combining a quantity of hydroxymethylfurfural with water to provide an aqueous solution containing at least five percent by weight of hydroxymethylfurfural;
- and
- combining the aqueous solution with an oxygen source in the presence of a heterogeneous ruthenium-based catalyst at a neutral or acidic pH;
- and
- oxidizing the hydroxymethylfurfural to furanic oxidation products inclusive of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid,
- wherein the oxidation step is conducted in the substantial absence of any solvent for either hydroxymethylfurfural or 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid other than water.
A process for making 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid from an aqueous solution comprised of one or more hexose sugars, comprising:
- subjecting the aqueous solution to a rapid acid-catalyzed dehydration to produce a product mixture including hydroxymethylfurfural, wherein the aqueous solution is heated from ambient temperature to a temperature greater than 175 degrees Celsius in the presence of an acid catalyst in less than 15 minutes;
- as necessary, adding water at an elevated temperature to the product mixture from the rapid acid-catalyzed dehydration to achieve an aqueous oxidation feed containing from 5 to 30 percent by weight of hydroxymethylfurfural in water;
- and
- combining the aqueous oxidation feed with an oxygen source in the presence of a heterogeneous ruthenium-based catalyst at a neutral or acidic pH;
- and
- oxidizing the hydroxymethylfurfural to furanic oxidation products inclusive of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid,
- wherein the oxidation is carried out in the substantial absence of any solvent for either hydroxymethylfurfural or 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid other than water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.