Microwave-assisted base-free oxidation of glucose on gold nanoparticle catalysts

•Base-free glucose oxidation with gold catalysts was promoted by microwave heating.•76% gluconic acid in 10 min with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant•Very high turn-over frequencies over 10,000 h− 1•Activity of Au/Al2O3 catalyst remained unchanged during four consecutive runs

Base-free oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid with supported gold catalysts was studied using microwave heating. High conversion and selectivity were obtained in a remarkably shortened reaction time; in 10 min gluconic acid was obtained with up to 76% yields with 0.09 mol% Au/Al2O3 and hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Very high turn-over frequencies over 10,000 h− 1 were measured for the microwave assisted oxidation. Moreover, the catalyst activity remained constant in four consecutive runs, even though minor particle growth was observed.

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