5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was quantitatively oxidized to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) at 100 °C under 40 bar air in moderately basic aqueous solution in the presence of active carbon supported platinum and bismuth–platinum catalysts. The transformation of HMF into FDCA proceeded via the 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HMFCA) and 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) intermediates; both of these were very reactive and rapidly oxidized to 5-formylfurancarboxylic acid (FFCA), the subsequent oxidation of which was found to be the rate-limiting step. The preparation method of the platinum catalysts influenced the particle size of metallic platinum and modified the surface of the support, therefore determining the activity. The addition of a carbonate base (Na₂CO₃/HMF molar ratio = 2) led to faster overall conversion than bicarbonate (NaHCO₃/HMF = 4) by maintaining an appropriate pH for the oxidation reaction. The ex situ or in situ addition of a bismuth promoter still accelerated the reaction; the highest activity was observed for a Bi/Pt molar ratio of ca. 0.2. Furthermore, the promoter helped to prevent some deactivation of the Pt catalyst upon recycling experiments. Quantitative conversion of HMF (0.1 M) and >99% yield of FDCA were achieved using a molar ratio of HMF to Pt of 100 and Na₂CO₃ as the homogeneous base in less than 2 h.

The kinetic stability of any material in water relies on the presence of surface weak spots responsible for chemical weathering by hydrolysis. Being able to identify the atomistic nature of these sites and the first steps of transformation is therefore critical to master the decomposition processes. This is the challenge that we tackle here: combining experimental and modeling studies we investigate the stability of alumina in water. Exploring the reactivity of shape-controlled crystals, we identify experimentally a specific facet as the location of the weak spots. Using biasedab initiomolecular dynamics, we recognize this weak spot as a surface exposed tetra-coordinated Al atom and further provide a detailed mechanism of the first steps of hydrolysis. This understanding is of great importance to heterogeneous catalysis where alumina is a major support. Furthermore, it paves the way to atomistic understanding of interfacial reactions, at the crossroad of a variety of fields of research.