Nanoscale center-hollowed hexagon MnCo2O4 spinet catalyzed aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid

A series of bimetallic Mn-Co-O catalysts were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, and the catalytic performance was evaluated. Among these catalysts, center-hollowed hexagon MnCo2O4 exhibited excellent catalytic effect in aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). A 99.5% 5-HMF conversion and 70.9% FDCA yield can be obtained under molecular oxygen and weak base condition. The efficient catalytic performance was attributed to the Mn3+ ions on the surface of MnCo2O4 catalyst, and its high oxygen mobility and reducibility. Furthermore, this simple synthesis process of non-precious metal catalyst is beneficial to the production of FDCA.