A facile and effective method for preparation of 2.5-furandicarboxylic acid via hydrogen peroxide direct oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

In this paper, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) was efficiently prepared by the direct oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in alkaline conditions without any catalysts. The effects of reaction parameters on the process were systematically investigated and the optimal parameters were obtained as follows: molar ratio of 5-HMF:KOH: H₂O₂  was 1:4:8, reaction temperature and reaction time were determined as 70°C and 15 minutes, respectively. Under these conditions, the yield of FDCA was 55.6% and the purity of FDCA could reach 99%. Moreover, we have speculated the detailed oxidation mechanism of 5-HMF assisted by hydrogen peroxide in alkaline condition to synthesize FDCA.