Effect of Brønsted/Lewis Acid Ratio on Conversion of Sugars to 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural over Mesoporous Nb and Nb‐W Oxides

A series of mesoporous Nb and Nb‐W oxides were employed as highly active solid acid catalysts for the conversion of glucose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF ). The results of solid state ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy with adsorbed trimethylphosphine as probe molecule show that the addition of W in niobium oxide increases the number of Brønsted acid sites and decreases the number of Lewis acid sites. The catalytic performance for Nb‐W oxides varied with the ratio of Brønsted to Lewis acid sites and high glucose conversion was observed over Nb₅W₅ and Nb₇W₃ oxides with high ratios of Brønsted to Lewis acid sites. All Nb‐W oxides show a relatively high selectivity of HMF , whereas no HMF forms over sulfuric acid due to its pure Brønsted acidity. The results indicate fast isomerization of glucose to fructose over Lewis acid sites followed by dehydration of fructose to HMF over Brønsted acid sites. Moreover, comparing to the reaction occurred in aqueous media, the 2‐butanol/H₂O system enhances the HMF selectivity and stabilizes the activity of the catalysts which gives the highest HMF selectivity of 52% over Nb₇W₃ oxide. The 2‐butanol/H₂O catalytic system can also be employed in conversion of sucrose, achieving HMF selectivity of 46% over Nb₅W₅ oxide.     

Production of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural from Fructose in Ionic Liquid Efficiently Catalyzed by Cr(III)‐Al2O3 Catalyst

A series of metal‐Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared simply by the conventional impregnation with Al₂O₃ and metal chlorides, which were applied to the dehydration of fructose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). An agreeable HMF yield of 93.1% was achieved from fructose at mild conditions (100°C and 40 min) when employing Cr(III)‐Al₂O₃ as catalyst in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl). The Cr(III)‐Al₂O₃ catalyst was characterized via XRD, DRS and Raman spectra and the results clarified the interaction between the Cr(III) and the alumina support. Meanwhile, the reaction solvents ([Bmim]Cl) collected after 1^st reaction run and 5^th reaction run were analyzed by ICP‐OES and LC‐ITMS and the results confirmed that no Cr(III) ion was dropped off from the alumina support during the fructose dehydration. Notably, Cr(III)‐Al₂O₃ catalyst had an excellent catalytic performance for glucose and sucrose and the HMF yields were reached to 73.7% and 84.1% at 120°C for 60 min, respectively. Furthermore, the system of Cr(III)‐Al₂O₃ and [Bmim]Cl exhibited a constant stability and activity at 100°C for 40 min and a favorable HMF yield was maintained after ten recycles.     

金属卤化物促进糖类催化转化制备5-羟甲基糠醛

研究了碱金属卤化物对AlCl₃催化葡萄糖转化制备5-羟甲基糠醛（HMF）的促进作用. 结果表明,NaF对反应有显著抑制作用,而NaI和NaBr对反应有显著促进作用,而且NaI比NaBr的促进效果更明显. 在N,N-二甲基乙酰胺（DMAC）中,以NaI为添加剂,130 ℃反应15 min,AlCl₃催化葡萄糖转化制备HMF,葡萄糖转化率由71%提高到86%,HMF收率由36%提高到62%. AlCl₃-NaI-DMAC体系也可用于果糖、甘露糖等单糖,蔗糖、麦芽糖、纤维二糖等二糖,以及菊粉等多糖的转化. 以蔗糖为原料,HMF收率可达63%.     

Molecular aspects of glucose dehydration by chromium chlorides in ionic liquids

A combined experimental and computational study of the ionic‐liquid‐mediated dehydration of glucose and fructose by Cr^II and Cr^III chlorides has been performed. The ability of chromium to selectively dehydrate glucose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium chloride does not depend on the oxidation state of chromium. Nevertheless, Cr^III exhibits higher activity and selectivity to HMF than Cr^II. Anhydrous CrCl₂ and CrCl₃?6 H₂O readily catalyze glucose dehydration with HMF yields of 60 and 72 %, respectively, after 3 h. Anhydrous CrCl₃ has a lower activity, because it only slowly dissolves in the reaction mixture. The transformation of glucose to HMF involves the formation of fructose as an intermediate. The exceptional catalytic performance of the chromium catalysts is explained by their unique ability to catalyze glucose to fructose isomerization and fructose to HMF dehydration with high selectivity. Side reactions leading to humins by means of condensation reactions take predominantly place during fructose dehydration. The higher HMF selectivity for Cr^III is tentatively explained by the higher activity in fructose dehydration compared to Cr^II. This limits the concentration of intermediates that are involved in bimolecular condensation reactions. Model DFT calculations indicate a substantially lower activation barrier for glucose isomerization by Cr^III compared to Cr^II. Qualitatively, glucose isomerization follows a similar mechanism for Cr^II and Cr^III. The mechanism involves ring opening of D ‐glucopyranose coordinated to a single Cr ion, followed by a transient self‐organization of catalytic chromium complexes that promotes the rate‐determining hydrogen‐shift step.     

Metal-free dehydration of glucose to 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural in ionic liquids with boric acid as a promoter

The dehydration of glucose and other hexose carbohydrates to 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) was investigated in imidazolium-based ionic liquids with boric acid as a promoter. A yield of up to 42% from glucose and as much as 66% from sucrose was obtained. The yield of HMF decreased as the concentration of boric acid exceeded one equivalent, most likely as a consequence of stronger fructose-borate chelate complexes being formed. Computational modeling with DFT calculations confirmed that the formation of 1:1 glucose-borate complexes facilitated the conversion pathway from glucose to fructose. Deuterium-labeling studies elucidated that the isomerization proceeded via an ene-diol mechanism, which is different to that of the enzyme-catalyzed isomerization of glucose to fructose. The introduced non-metal system containing boric acid provides a new direction in the search for catalyst systems allowing efficient HMF formation from biorenewable sources.     

Purification,Characterization and N‐terminal Sequence Analysis of Betel Leaf (Piper betle) Invertase

The present study is the first report describing the purification, enzymatic properties and N‐terminal amino acid sequence of a native invertase in betel leaf. The invertase was purified as a monomeric glycoprotein of molecular mass (Mr) 68 kDa. The enzyme was capable to attack β‐fructofuranoside linkages from the fructose end of sucrose, raffinose and stachyose indicating it as an authentic β‐D‐fructofuranosidase with high specificity for sucrose (Km 4.83 mM). The maximum activity was detected at pH 5.2 and 37 °C. Glucose and fructose showed typical inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity where as lectin was found to be effective activators of the enzyme. Significant inhibition by heavy metal ion Hg²⁺ and sulfhydryl group modifying agents suggesting that free sulfhydryl group containing amino acid, cysteine is necessary for the catalytic activity of the invertase. A BLAST search of the N‐terminal amino acid sequence of betel leaf invertase showed significant homology with the homologous invertases in database.     

Selective Synthesis of 2,5‐Diformylfuran by Sustainable 4‐acetamido‐TEMPO/Halogen‐Mediated Electrooxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural

A new method was developed for the selective gram‐scale synthesis of 2,5‐diformylfuran (DFF), which is an important chemical with a high application potential, via oxidation of biomass‐derived 5‐hydroxylmethylfurfural (HMF) catalyzed by 4‐acetylamino‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (4‐AcNH‐TEMPO) in a two‐phase system consisting of a methylene chloride and aqueous solution containing sodium hydrogen carbonate and potassium iodide. The key feature of this method is the generation of the I₂ (co‐)oxidant by anodic oxidation of iodide anions during pulse electrolysis. In addition, the electrolyte can be successfully recycled five times while maintaining a 62–65 % yield of DFF. This novel method provides a sustainable pathway for waste‐free production of DFF without the use of metal catalysts and expensive oxidants. An advantage of electrooxidation is utilized in the preparation of demanding chemical.     

Effect of Different Ionic Liquids on 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Preparation from Glucose in DMA over AlCl3: Experimental and Theoretical Study

In this work, effect of different ionic liquids (ILs) on 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) preparation from glucose in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMA) over AlCl₃ was revealed by a combined experimental and computational study. ILs used as cocatalysts in this work included N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone hydrogen sulfate ([NMP]HSO₄), N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone methyl sulfate ([NMP]CH₃SO₃), N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone chlorine ([NMP]Cl) and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone bromide ([NMP]Br) which were endowed with the same cation but different anions. According to the conclusion that fructose was intermediate product from glucose to HMF, we found fructose was transformed to more by‐products by [NMP]HSO₄, making HMF yield decline significantly when glucose was treated as substrate. Neither glucose nor fructose could be converted by [NMP]CH₃SO₃ efficiently, leading to its no influence on glucose conversion to HMF. [NMP]Br had a higher selectivity for HMF from fructose than [NMP]Cl and AlCl₃. Besides, Al³⁺ preferred to combine with Br^?, slightly decreasing both the overall free energy barrier for glucose isomerization and activation barrier for H‐shift at 393.15 K. So a high HMF yield of 57% was obtained from glucose catalyzed by AlCl₃ together with [NMP]Br under mild conditions.     

Glucose transformation to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural in acidic ionic liquid: A quantum mechanical study

Isomerization and transformation of glucose and fructose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in both ionic liquids (ILs) and water has been studied by the reference interaction site model self‐consistent field spatial electron density distribution (RISM‐SCF‐SEDD) method coupled with ab initio electronic structure theory, namely coupled cluster single, double, and perturbative triple excitation (CCSD(T)). Glucose isomerization to fructose has been investigated via cyclic and open chain mechanisms. In water, the calculations support the cyclic mechanism of glucose isomerization; with the predicted activation free energy is 23.8 kcal mol^?1 at experimental condition. Conversely, open ring mechanism is more favorable in ILs with the energy barrier is 32.4 kcal mol^?1. Moreover, the transformation of fructose into HMF via cyclic mechanism is reasonable; the calculated activation barriers are 16.0 and 21.5 kcal mol^?1 in aqueous and ILs solutions, respectively. The solvent effects of ILs could be explained by the decomposition of free energies and radial distribution functions of solute‐solvent that are produced by RISM‐SCF‐SEDD. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Protected Ag Nanoparticles Immobilized on Polyacrylonitrile Fiber as Efficient Catalysts for a Three‐Component Coupling Reaction

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) are routinely stabilized by the introduction of capping agents or their distribution on supports. In this context, we report the preparation and characterization of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐stabilized silver NPs supported on polyacrylonitrile fiber (PANF). As a result, Ag loadings of up to 8 % and particle sizes of 11.0±3.2 nm were achieved. This novel nanocomposite catalyst demonstrated high activity in addition to excellent stability and reusability in the three‐component reaction between alkynes, haloalkanes, and amines. In this system, the AgNPs were stabilized by both a support effect and a ligand effect. The unique NHC‐protected AgNP structure and the PANF support provide a synergistic effect in the deprotonation of C_sp?H bonds, with turnover numbers of up to 3500. This catalyst was successfully recycled over eight runs without any significant loss in activity, and with no significant aggregation of the AgNPs. Moreover, implementation of a flow system with PANF‐NHC@Ag as catalyst leads to an efficient productivity of 57 mmol h^?1.     

Cathodized Gold Nanoparticle‐Modified Graphite Pencil Electrode for Non‐Enzymatic Sensitive Voltammetric Detection of Glucose

A highly sensitive enzymeless electrochemical glucose sensor has been developed based on the simply prepared cathodized gold nanoparticle‐modified graphite pencil electrode (AuNP‐GPE). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments show that AuNP‐GPE is able to oxidize glucose partially at low potential (around −0.27) whereas the bare GPE cannot oxidize glucose in the entire tested potential windows. Besides, fructose and sucrose cannot be oxidized at potential lower than +0.1 V at AuNP‐GPE. As a result, the glucose oxidation peak at around −0.27 V is suitable enough for selective detection of glucose in the presence of fructose and sucrose. Cathodization of AuNP‐GPE under optimum condition (‐1.0 V for 30 s) in the same glucose solution before voltammetric measurement enhanced glucose oxidation peak current around −0.27 V to achieve an efficient electrochemical sensor for glucose with a detection limit of 12 μM and dynamic range between 0.05 to 5.0 mM with a good linearity (R²= 0.999). Almost no interference effect was observed for sensing of glucose in the presence of ascorbic acid, alanine, phenylalanine, fructose, sucrose, and NaCl.     

Facile Synthesis and Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions of 2,3‐Bis(pinacolatoboryl)‐1,3‐butadiene

Treatment of 1,1‐bis(pinacolatoboryl)ethene with an excess of 1‐bromo‐1‐lithioethene gave 2,3‐bis(pinacolatoboryl)‐1,3‐butadiene in high yield. Palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of the resulting diborylbutadiene with aryl iodides took place smoothly in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)₂/PPh₃ and aqueous KOH to give 2,3‐diaryl‐1,3‐butadienes in good yields. The coupling reaction with commercially available 4‐acetoxyphenylmethyl chloride under the same conditions followed by hydrolysis of the acetyl groups gave anolignan B in a one‐pot manner. A variety of [3]‐ to [6]dendralenes were synthesized by palladium‐catalyzed coupling of the diene or 1,1‐bis(pinacolato)borylethene with alkenyl or dienyl halides, respectively, in good yields.     

Catalytic Glucose Isomerization by Porous Coordination Polymers with Open Metal Sites

Highly efficient catalytic isomerization reactions from glucose to fructose in aqueous media using porous coordination polymers (PCPs) or metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is reported for the first time. The catalytic activity of PCPs functionalized with ? NH₂, ? (CH₃)₂, ? NO₂, and ? SO₃H groups on the pore surface is systematically tested. The catalytic activity can be tuned by the acidity of open metal sites (OMSs) by modifying the organic linkers with the functional groups. As a result, it is demonstrated that MIL‐101 functionalized with ? SO₃H not only shows high conversion of glucose but also selectively produces fructose. Further, catalytic one‐pot conversion of amylose to fructose is achieved, thanks to the high stability of the framework in an acidic solution. These results show that MOF/PCP compounds having OMSs are promising materials for various useful heterogeneous catalytic reactions, in particular in the biomass field.     

Conversion of d-glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) using zeolite in [Bmim]Cl or tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC)/CrCl2

The formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from glucose was studied. It was found that the CrCl₂-catalyzed conversion in the ionic liquid, butylmethylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) leads to negligible quantities of 3-deoxyglucosone confirming that fructose is the main intermediate. It was found that the environmentally unfriendly chromium salt could be replaced with zeolite (H-ZSM-5) leading to a 45% yield of HMF. It was also found that the solvent [Bmim]Cl could be replaced with non-toxic tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) giving a 56% yield of HMF.     

Redox‐Active Ligands in Catalysis

Nature’s use of redox‐active moieties combined with 3d transition‐metal ions is a powerful strategy to promote multi‐electron catalytic reactions. The ability of these moieties to store redox equivalents aids metalloenzymes in promoting multi‐electron reactions, avoiding high‐energy intermediates. In a biomimetic spirit, chemists have recently developed approaches relying on redox‐active moieties in the vicinity of metal centers to catalyze challenging transformations. This approach enables chemists to impart noble‐metal character to less toxic, and cost effective 3d transitional metals, such as Fe or Cu, in multi‐electron catalytic reactions.     

Highly Stable,Water‐Dispersible Metal‐Nanoparticle‐Decorated Polymer Nanocapsules and Their Catalytic Applications

A facile synthesis of highly stable, water‐dispersible metal‐nanoparticle‐decorated polymer nanocapsules (M@CB‐PNs: M=Pd, Au, and Pt) was achieved by a simple two‐step process employing a polymer nanocapsule (CB‐PN) made of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and metal salts. The CB‐PN serves as a versatile platform where various metal nanoparticles with a controlled size can be introduced on the surface and stabilized to prepare new water‐dispersible nanostructures useful for many applications. The Pd nanoparticles on CB‐PN exhibit high stability and dispersibility in water as well as excellent catalytic activity and recyclability in carbon–carbon and carbon–nitrogen bond‐forming reactions in aqueous medium suggesting potential applications as a green catalyst.     

Kinetics of Catalytic Hydrogenation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5‐bis‐Hydroxymethylfuran in Aqueous Solution over Ru/C

5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) is a cellulosic product of the hydrolysis of biomass, and it is widely considered for the production of several interesting chemicals and derivatives. In the present work, catalytic hydrogenation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5‐bis‐hydroxymethylfuran was investigated using 5% Ru/C in the aqueous phase. Kinetic data were experimentally obtained over a wide range of temperatures (313–343 K), H₂ partial pressure (0.69–2.07 MPa), initial HMF concentration (19.8–59.5 mM), and catalyst loading (0.3–0.7 kg/m³) in a three‐phase slurry reactor. Disappearance of initial 5‐HMF concentrations was modeled using the power law and Langmuir–Hinshelwood–Hougen–Watson models. A model based on the competitive adsorption of molecular H₂ and HMF was proposed. It is presumed that surface reaction between nondissociatively chemisorbed H₂ and 5‐HMF was rate determining. This model provided the best fit for the kinetic data. From the Arrhenius equation, the activation energy for the surface reaction was found to be 104.9 kJ/mol.     

Highly Stable,Water‐Dispersible Metal‐Nanoparticle‐Decorated Polymer Nanocapsules and Their Catalytic Applications

A facile synthesis of highly stable, water‐dispersible metal‐nanoparticle‐decorated polymer nanocapsules (M@CB‐PNs: M=Pd, Au, and Pt) was achieved by a simple two‐step process employing a polymer nanocapsule (CB‐PN) made of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and metal salts. The CB‐PN serves as a versatile platform where various metal nanoparticles with a controlled size can be introduced on the surface and stabilized to prepare new water‐dispersible nanostructures useful for many applications. The Pd nanoparticles on CB‐PN exhibit high stability and dispersibility in water as well as excellent catalytic activity and recyclability in carbon–carbon and carbon–nitrogen bond‐forming reactions in aqueous medium suggesting potential applications as a green catalyst.     

Functionalization of Multi Carbon Nanotubes with 1,2‐Naphthoquinone‐4‐sulfonic Acid Sodium: A Novel Sulphydryl Compounds Sensor Based on Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Film Using Michael Addition

The functionalized multi‐wall carbon nanotube with 1,2‐naphthoquinone‐4‐sulfonic acid sodium (Nq‐MWNT) was fabricated by a simple and low‐cost method. Techniques of scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV‐vis) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the property of the Nq‐MWNT. The results showed that the MWNT with high functionalization of Nq can be obtained using this simple method. The Nq‐MWNT modified carbon paste electrode (Nq‐MWNT/CPE) was fabricated by drop‐casting technique. The resulted modified electrode was tested successfully to detection D‐penicillamine (D‐PA) and captopril (CAP) in an aqueous solution. It is found that D‐PA and CAP participate in Michael addition reaction with Nq on MWNT to form the corresponding thioquinone derivative. The reoxidation of adducts at a potential of less positive than D‐PA and CAP at the surface of the bare CPE leads to an increase in the oxidative current, which is proportional to the concentration of D‐PA and CAP. The catalytic response showed a wide linear range (3‐200 μM and 1‐130 μM for D‐PA and CAP, respectively) as well as its experimental limit of detection can be achieved 0.8 μM, and 0.4 μM for D‐PA and CAP, respectively. The modified electrode for D‐PA and CAP determination is of the property of simple preparation, good stability and high sensitivity. Furthermore, the fabricated electrode was used to determine the content of D‐PA and CAP in the tablet, suggesting the good accuracy of the method.     

Glucose‐induced and fructose‐induced deboronation reaction of 4‐mercaptophenylboronic acid assembled on silver investigated by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering

We examined the deboronation reaction of 4‐mercaptophenylboronic acid (4MPBA) via fructose and glucose on silver surfaces by means of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) at the excitation wavelengths of 488, 514, and 633 nm. The SERS spectra on silver nanoparticles clearly exhibited specific spectral signatures of thiophenol (TP) peaks, indicating a deboronation reaction of 4MPBA on the surfaces, whereas no strong TP peaks were observed on gold nanoparticles. The vibrational bands at 417, 999, 1021, and 1574 cm^?1 in the Ag SERS spectra could correspond to the in‐plane aromatic ring modes in TP. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy also supported the surface reaction on Ag by referring the B1s peaks at ~193 eV. The ratiometric Raman measurements of the band at 1574 cm^?1, with respect to that at 1587 cm^?1, revealed fructose and glucose quantification in the concentration range of 1–10 mm . We did not identify such changes for mannose, sucrose, and sialic acid. The SERS peaks of 4MPBA on roughened Ag plates also exhibited TP bands to show the time‐dependent spectral change. Our findings indicate that the deboronation of 4MPBA and conjugation with fructose and glucose may be facilitated efficiently on silver surfaces for their quantification. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.