Ruthenium (Ru)-based catalysts

CBRC would like to share our research on biomass valorization to biochemicals “Exfoliated Layered Metal Oxide-Supported Ruthenium Catalysts for Base-Free Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural into a Renewable Bioplastic Precursor” published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering (Tier1 Journal, TOP 5% Journal in General Chemical Engineering by SCOPUS/SJR, JCR IF = 9.224). The article is available at https://lnkd.in/da-VMmiP

In this work, we have collaborated with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Toshiyuki Yokoi (Tokyo Institute of Technology Japan) to develop a new type of ruthenium (Ru)-based catalyst using exfoliated layered double oxide as a support for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) without use of any corrosive base solvents in the process. FDCA is a bioplastic precursor for production of variouis bio-based polymers, such as polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a renewable bio-based substitute for petroleum-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The mixed metal oxide derived from Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (MgAl LDH) was selected as a catalyst support due to its high surface area and acid-base properties. The exfoliation technique was used to prevent reconstruction of the Mg-Al mixed oxide into its original layered structure in water as the reaction media. Thus, the supported Ru catalysts maintained a high active metal dispersion, acid-base properties, and oxygen vacancy content during use in the catalytic process. The catalyst showed a remarkable performance (99.2% HMF oxidation and 98% FDCA selectivity) and reusability.