AuPd-Fe3 O4 Nanoparticle-Catalyzed Synthesis of Furan-2,5-dimethylcarboxylate from 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural under Mild Conditions.

Efficient one-pot oxidative esterification of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to furan-2,5-dimethylcarboxylate (FDMC) was achieved under extremely mild reaction conditions by using AuPd alloy nanoparticles (NPs) supported on Fe3 O4 . A high yield of FDMC (92 %) was obtained at room temperature under atmospheric O2 . The reaction proceeded through the synergistic effects of the AuPd heterobimetallic catalyst system. The most effective molar ratio of noble metal contents for HMF oxidation was 1.00:1.18. If Au-Fe3 O4 NPs were used as the catalyst, selective synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfuroic acid methyl ester (HMFE) was achieved. Additionally, the AuPd-Fe3 O4 catalyst could be successfully reused.