Ru/MnCo₂O₄ as a catalyst for tunable synthesis of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan or 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran from hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Manganese and cobalt metals-based mixed oxide (MnCo₂O₄) spinels supported ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles, Ru/MnCo₂O₄, is found to be an active catalyst to execute outstandingly the hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to produce two useful furan diols such as 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) and 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran (BHMTHF) in highly selective fashion without any additive. It could found that Ru/MnCo₂O₄ was able to catalyze not only the oxidation but also the reduction of HMF due to the redox properties of the MnCo₂O₄. Moreover, the characterization details responsible for the high activity of this catalyst in the hydrogenation of HMF were investigated by several spectroscopic methods. In order to maximize the products yield and HMF conversion, the effect of reaction variables such as time, temperature, pressure, and various metal oxides supported Ru nanoparticles was also investigated. Furthermore, the reusability tests exhibited that Ru/MnCo₂O₄ catalyst could be reused at several consecutive cycles, retaining almost its original activity.