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Updated: May 10, 2025

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
Selective hydrogenation of HMF to DHMF with Ru-PNP complexes in ionic liquids
Valeria Nori1, Haliru Abdulrahman Sidi1, Martin Nielsen1
1Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark Kemitorvet 207, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby Denmark marnie@kemi.dtu.dk.
Abstract:
The catalytic hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran (DHMF) represents a promising pathway for the valorisation of lignocellulosic-derived biomass feedstock. This study investigates the use of Ru-PNP complexes as (pre)catalysts to achieve efficient and highly selective hydrogenation of HMF in ionic liquids (ILs) as green reaction media under mild reaction conditions. Our results indicate that iPrRu-MACHO leads to excellent conversion and yield (up to 99%) of HMF to DHMF using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (BMIM OAc). The analogous cationic Ru-PNP complex bearing acetonitrile as ancillary ligand and hexafluorophosphate (PF6 -) as counterion also shows high catalytic activity (up to 99% conversion) in BMIM OAc under mild reaction conditions. Interestingly, the IL seems to prevent HMF polymerization to humins. Furthermore, the recyclability and reusability of the ionic liquid are systematically investigated.
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