Conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural into 5-ethoxymethylfurfural and ethyl levulinate catalyzed by MOF-based heteropolyacid materials

Abstract

Conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) and ethyl levulinate (EL) is an attractive biomass transformation due to its potential application in the energy and chemical industries. Here, we report on the conversion with MOF-based polyoxometalate [Cu–BTC][HPM] (NENU-5) as the catalyst. The homogeneous distribution of HPM in the pores of Cu–BTC makes the composite combine the properties of the catalytic activity of HPM and the insolubility, large surface area and hierarchical pores of Cu–BTC. The catalyst demonstrates reusability and catalytic activity with 55% yield of EMF and 11% yield of EL.