Abstract:

Conversion of biomass into high value-added chemicals was an effective way to solve the current problems of fossil energy depletion and global warming. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF) was considered as one of the most important platform compounds, which could be used to prepare many high value organic compounds through oxidation, hydrogenation, and ring-opening reactions. Among its derivatives, 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid(FDCA) could be regarded as the most promising chemical, which could replace the widely used petroleum-based polyester terephthalic acid(PTA) to synthesize biodegradable polyester polyethylene furanoate(PEF). This article systematically reviewed the new processes for preparing FDCA from HMF through electrocatalytic oxidation, photocatalytic oxidation, and biocatalysis. These catalytic methods were different from traditional pyrolysis catalytic methods, which did not requiring high temperature and pressure as well as harmful solvents and expensive catalysts, and had the characteristics of high efficiency, greenness, and sustainability. However, there were still some problems, such as electrocatalysis needed special and stable electrolytes and high requirements for instruments and equipment; photocatalysis had the problems of high cost and low energy conversion rate; biocatalysis had long preparation cycles and the inhibited intermediates. By analyzing the results obtained by these methods and the existing problems, it provided feasible ideas for the efficient catalytic conversion of FDCA in the future.

Key words: 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 2, 5- furandicarboxylic acid, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, bio-catalysis