Nanopalladium-Decorated Sn-Na MOF Catalyst for Upgrading Biosugars to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in an Aqueous Medium

The present study explores the solvothermal synthesis of the Sn-Na MOF composed of stannatranone cages interconnected through Na bridges. The MOF was used as a catalytic support to hold palladium nanoparticles. The nanopalladium-decorated Sn-Na MOF (Pd NPs/Sn-Na MOF) was characterized by FTIR, PXRD, SEM, TEM, NH 3 -TPD, and XPS analysis. The resulting composite Pd NPs/Sn-Na MOF demonstrated catalytic activity for the conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), which is a promising material for the production of various value-added chemicals. The catalyst shows rapid conversion (in 3 h), recyclability (up to 5 cycles), and a high yield of 5-HMF (92.4%) in an aqueous medium without the formation of the side product levullinic acid. Further, the successful conversion of stale and rotten apples to 5-HMF using the developed protocol justifies the scope to convert agrowaste sugars to value-added products with appreciable yield.