Silica coated magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles supported phosphotungstic acid: a novel environmentally friendly catalyst for the synthesis of 5-ethoxymethylfurfural from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and fructose

• DOI: 10.1039/c3cy00223c
• Publication Date: 2013-05-02T14:10:56Z
• Authors: Shuguo Wang; Zehui Zhang; Bing Liu; Jinlin Li
• Keywords: Phosphotungstic acid

In this study, a magnetically-recoverable catalyst (Fe3O4@SiO2-HPW) was prepared by the application of phosphotungstic acid (HPW) supported on silica-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The samples were characterized XRD, TEM, FT-IR, and N2-adsorption–desorption isotherms. content W in Fe3O4@SiO2-HPW measured inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) its surface acidity determined potentiometric titration with n-butylamine. showed an excellent catalytic activity for synthesis EMF from HMF fructose. Under optimal reaction conditions, obtained high yield 83.6% etherification 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. could also be synthesized directly fructose 54.8% via one-pot strategy. After reaction, easily separated mixture external magnetic field, it reused at least five times without any loss activity.