Highly selective oxidation of glucose to formic acid over synthesized hydrotalcite-like catalysts under base free mild conditions

Sustainable and renewable production of platform chemicals and fuels has been gradually rising. Formic acid is one of the important chemicals for leather, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries as well as hydrogen source. In this study, selective oxidation of biomass-derived glucose to formic acid was investigated under base free medium at 70 °C over synthesized hydrotalcite-like catalysts using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Effect of Mg/Al ratio (6/1, 3/1, 1/1, 1/3 and 1/6) and heat treatment (drying and calcination) on catalyst structure and product distributions; effect of calcination temperature (450, 650 and 900 °C), solvent composition (ethanol/water) and reaction temperature (30, 50 and 70 °C) on catalytic activity and product selectivity were investigated. Reducing the Mg/Al ratio enhanced the density of metal-OH bonds, surface area and uniformity of pores up to some extent. The highest glucose conversion and formic acid selectivity were achieved over Mg–Al (1:3) catalyst as 38.7 and 99.0%, respectively. The calcined catalysts (at 450 °C) exhibited 7 times higher selectivities and 4 times higher activities than the dried ones. However, higher calcination temperatures did not show remarkable increments in activities and yields. Easily prepared, cheap Mg–Al (1:3) catalyst provided promising results even at low temperature with hydrogen peroxide at atmospheric medium in a low boiling point solvent (ethanol).

Graphical abstract