One‐Pot Conversion of Glucose into 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural using MOFs and Brønsted‐Acid Tandem Catalysts

Abstract The direct conversion reaction of glucose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is studied using metal organic framework (MOF) as Lewis‐acid catalysts and a polyoxometalate (POM), silicotungstic acid, as a Brønsted‐type acid with a mixture of 1% glucose solution in γ‐valerolactone (GVL)‐10% H₂O at 140 °C. The study is carried out with two routes: one using MOF and POM tandem catalysts added independently and the other through the synthesis of a composite material denoted POM@MOF. The activity tests show that the profiles of the conversion and yield of HMF achieved in both routes are similar, with the reactions with MIL‐53(Al) and MIL‐101(Cr) catalysts producing the highest yield of HMF (40% after 8 h of reaction). Stability tests are performed on the POM@MOF catalysts based on MIL‐53(Al) and MIL‐101(Cr). MIL‐53(Al) and HSiW@MIL‐101(Cr) can be reused, showing a progressive loss in HMF yield due to the leaching of POM.