Enzymatic oxidation of hydroxymethylfurfural

摘要

A method of converting hydroxymethylfurfural and is derivative species into hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation products is disclosed. The method includes contacting the hydroxymethylfurfural species in a mixture with an enzyme that oxidizes the hydroxymethylfurfural species while controlling hydrogen peroxide in the mixture. In one exemplary embodiment the enzyme is chloroperoxidase and the hydrogen peroxide is metered into the mixture to predominantly and selectively make at least one of formylfuran carboxylic acid or furan dicarboxylic acid. In another embodiment the enzyme is aryl alcohol oxidase and catalase is included in the mixture to remove unwanted hydrogen peroxide by product and the reaction predominantly makes at least one of dimethylfuran or formylfuran carboxylic acid. When the predominant product is a carboxylic acid or furan dicarboxylic acid, it can be recovered in substantially pure form by acid precipitation.