Efficient Aerobic Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5‐Diformylfuran, and Synthesis of a Fluorescent Material

Furan fluorescence: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, available from biomass, is efficiently oxidized to 2,5-diformylfuran by using molecular oxygen, under mild conditions. The oxidation is catalyzed by Cu(NO3)2/VOSO4. The renewable, rather than petroleum-based, furan dialdehyde is used for the synthesis of a fluorescent material.