Efficient synthesis of 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran and 2,5-dimethylfuran from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using mineral-derived Cu catalysts as versatile catalysts

A Cu/ZnO catalyst derived from minerals (malachite, rosasite and aurichalcite) could catalyze 5-hydroxymethylfurfural hydrogenation to 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran and 2,5-dimethylfuran tunably.