Enhanced catalytic activity for fructose conversion on nanostructured niobium oxide after hydrothermal treatment: Effect of morphology and porous structure

A new class of catalysts based on niobium was hydrothermally synthesized using Filter Cake (FC) as a precursor. The use of different agents (oxalic acid or hydrogen peroxide) allowed the obtention of nanostructured materials in the form of rods or spheres with larger BET area, crystallinity and acidity than the precursor. Their potential was evaluated in fructose dehydration reaction in aqueous media and in DMSO, obtaining 22% and 47% yield of 5-HMF, respectively.