Effective oxidative esterification of 5–hydroxymethylfurfural over a N-doped biomass-based carbon supported cobalt catalyst

The metallic cobalt supported on nitrogen dopped carbon material was employed as an efficient catalyst in the oxidative esterification of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to furan-2,5-dimethylcarboxylate (FDMC). The carbonization temperature has a significant effect on the morphology and structure of Co/N-C samples. The Co/N-C calcined at 900 °C exhibits the best catalytic performance and a 73.8% FDMC yield at 91.7% HMF conversion is measured at 130 °C for 20 h with K₂CO₃ under 1 MPa O₂. The catalytic activity of Co/N-C was benefited by the synergistic effect between the metallic cobalt and nitrogen-doped carbon material. The reaction mechanism of FDMC formation was proposed.