Promoted role of Cu(NO3)2 on aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-diformylfuran over VOSO4

•The essential role of Cu(NO3)2 how to activate VOSO4 is investigated.•The role of Cu2+ cation on high 2,5-diformyfuran selectivity is discussed.•Solvent polarity depended 2,5-diformyfuran selectivity is observed.•Kinetic studies have been done to evaluate the possible reaction mechanism.

The promoted effect of Cu(NO3)2 on aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) catalyzed by VOSO4 in acetonitrile was intensively investigated. It was revealed that Cu(NO3)2 facilitated the activation of VOSO4 to generate active V5+ species via the generation of NOx gas. The high DFF selectivity is ascribed to Cu2+ cation which can effectively prohibit oxidative CC bond cleavage reaction of HMF and prevent radical reaction of DFF to humins. In addition, the polarity of solvent plays a great role on high selectivity of DFF.

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