Synthesis of 2,5-diformylfuran from renewable carbohydrates and its applications: A review

The synthesis of fine chemicals and fuel candidates from renewable biomass-based feedstocks has attracted much attention due to declining fossil resource. Many value-added furan derivatives, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), 2,5-diformyfuran (DFF) and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, have been successfully produced from carbohydrates. Among these, DFF, the aerobic oxidation product of HMF, is a key chemical and can be used in organic synthesis and functional polymer manufacture. In this review, different catalytic systems for the synthesis of DFF from monosaccharide, disaccharide and polysaccharide were summarized, while reaction pathways and catalyst stability were also commented. Besides, the applications of DFF were introduced in brief. Then, prospects of more effective methods to DFF production and application were discussed.