Recent advances in selective 2,5-diformylfuran production from renewable biomass: Novel catalytic strategies and sustainable approaches

The increasing depletion of traditional resources has led to a growing emphasis on the production of high-quality chemicals and potential fuel sources from sustainable plant-based materials. This has resulted in the successful synthesis of various furan derivatives such as 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF), 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF), and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from carbohydrates, contributing to their value addition. DFF, obtained through the aerobic oxidation of HMF, plays a crucial role in organic synthesis and the production of functional polymers. This review explores various catalytic systems for DFF synthesis from carbohydrates and HMF, providing deep insights into reaction pathways and catalyst durability. Specifically, the DFF yield ranged from approximately 50 %–80 %, accounting for around 44 % of the studies on non-metal catalysts discussed in this article. Meanwhile, yields exceeding 80 % were reported in roughly 44 % of studies using transition metal catalysts and 39 % of those employing precious metal catalysts. Additionally, it examines DFF applications and evaluates potential advancements in production methods and application strategies.