One-step hydrogenolysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 1,2,6-hexanetriol using a Pt@MIL-53-derived Pt@Al2O3 catalyst and NaBH4 in aqueous media

Abstract

Herein hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 1,2,6-hexanetriol (1,2,6-HT) has been demonstrated using a MOF-derived Pt@Al₂O₃ catalyst and NaBH₄ as the hydrogen source. The result showed a 63% 1,2,6-HT yield under relatively mild reaction conditions in aqueous media. The in situ method used for catalyst synthesis improved the homogeneous distribution of Pt species on the Al₂O₃ support. The reaction pathway for the hydrogenolysis of HMF-to-1,2,6-HT conversion exhibited the formation of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-furan (2,5-DHF) and 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran (THFDM) intermediates. The kinetic study revealed that the activation energy of THFDM (78.7 kJ mol⁻¹) is higher than that of 1,2,6-HT (64.7 kJ mol⁻¹), indicating that lower reaction temperature favors the production of 1,2,6-HT.