Selective and Robust Ru Catalyst for the Aqueous Phase Aerobic Oxidation of Furfural to 2-Furoic Acid.

Synthesis of 2-furoic acid (FURA) via oxidation of furfural (FAL) is vital in evolving the biorefinery concept as FURA has numerous important applications in the pharmaceuticals and optic areas. Though few works on this reaction are done, those are marred with shortcomings such as the nonrecyclability of catalyst, dilute solutions, lower yields, or use of HO as an oxidizing agent. Herein, we report catalytic aqueous phase oxidation of FAL to FURA using molecular oxygen as an oxidizing agent.