Porphyrin-based porous organic polymer-supported iron(III) catalyst for efficient aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid

Environmentally friendly and efficient synthesis of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a polyester building block chemical from biomass, was carried out in water by aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) with highly cross-linked, robust structured, and thermally stable FeIII–porous organic polymer (FeIII–POP-1) material containing basic porphyrin subunits and iron metal center. EPR analysis confirmed that the catalyst retained the oxidation state of Fe(III) after catalysis and can be reused.