FDCA is a promising raw material for the synthesis of polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a substitute of PET. It can be prepared by oxidation of glucose-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using a Mn catalyst. The group of Michikazu Hara at TIT has developed an amorphous ß-MnO2 catalyst with a large surface area (nanoparticles) which showed a 3fold higher activity compared to MnO2 catalysts used earlier.
JST news release, January 7, 2019
Team at Tokyo Institute of Technology improves synthesis of 2,5-furandicarboxylic aid (FDCA) using ß-manganese dioxide nanoparticles