METHOD FOR PRODUCING FURAN-2,5-DICARBOXYLIC ACID

Abstract

A method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is provided which can efficiently and quantitatively producing FDCA under mild conditions, without employing an expensive catalyst and with a reduced energy consumption. A furan ring compound having two functional groups selected from a hydroxymethyl group, a formyl group and a carboxyl group in the 2- and 5-positions of the furan ring, is oxidized with a metal permanganate in an alkaline environment to produce furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid. Advantageously, the alkaline environment contains at least one of alkali metal hydroxides and alkali earth metal hydroxides, and the oxidation is performed at a temperature of from 1 to 50° C. by adding the permanganate metal salt to the alkaline aqueous solution containing the furan ring compound.

Description

Claims

1. A method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, which comprises oxidizing a furan ring compound having two functional groups selected among a hydroxymethyl group, a formyl group and a carboxyl group in the 2- and 5-positions of the furan ring, with a metal permanganate in an alkaline environment.

2. The method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid according to claim 1, wherein the furan ring compound is used in a state that it is contained in an alkaline aqueous solution.

3. The method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid according to claim 1, wherein the alkaline environment contains one or two or more of alkali metal hydroxides and alkali earth metal hydroxides.

4. The method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid according to claim 3, wherein either at least one of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide is used as the alkali metal hydroxide.

5. The method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid according to claim 1, wherein the furan ring compound is one or two or more of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 2,5-diformylfuran, 5-formylfuran-2-carboxylic acid and 5-hydroxymethylfuran-2-carboxylic acid.

6. The method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid according to claim 1, wherein the metal permanganate contains one or two or more metals selected from alkali metals, alkali earth metals, zinc and silver.

7. The method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid according to claim 1, wherein the metal permanganate contains one or tow or more metals selected from potassium, sodium, calcium and barium.

8. The method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid according to claim 1, wherein the metal permanganate is added to an alkaline aqueous solution containing the furan ring compound.

9. The method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid according to claim 8, wherein the metal permanganate is in a solid state.

10. The method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid according to claim 8, wherein the furan ring compound contains one or two or more selected from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 2,5-diformylfuran, 5-formylfuran-2-carboxylic acid and 5-hydroxymethylfuran-2-carboxylic acid.

11. The method for producing furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid according to claim 1, wherein the oxidation is carried out at a temperature within a range of from 1° to 50° C.