Direct Reductive Amination of HMF to 5‐(Aminomethyl)‐2‐furanmethanol Using Supported Iridium‐based Catalysts

In this work, partial reductive amination of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) with gaseous ammonia over iridium supported on γ-Al₂O₃, TiO₂, SiO₂ and carbon has been studied. The influence of the support and pressure was investigated in the valorization under mild conditions of HMF to 5-(aminomethyl)-2-furanmethanol (AMFM). The catalysts were characterized by TEM, SEM-EDS, N₂ sorption Isotherms, TGA, CO-Chemisorption, TPR, XRD, NH₃-TPD, ICP-AES and XPS. The maximum activity and high rates were obtained for all catalytic systems. At 50 minutes of the reaction the Ir/C catalyst achieved 93 % of conversion and exhibited the highest yield and selectivity of 92 % and 99 % respectively, to the desired product 5-(aminomethyl)-2-furanmethanol. The main properties that influence activity and selectivity are related to the amount of iridium on the surface and catalyst acidity. After the third cycle, 63 % and 59 % of selectivity and yield to AMFM respectively at 93 % of conversion were obtained.