Efficient photocatalytic selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural on Bi24O29Br10(WO4)2 solid solution via enhanced charge separation†

The photocatalytic oxidation of biomass-derived structural units such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural is a promising reaction for obtaining valuable chemicals and effectively storing solar radiation for long periods. In this work, we developed a Bi₂₄O₂₉Br₁₀(WO₄)₂ solid solution photocatalyst for the selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to produce 2,5-diformylfuran. The doping of WO₄²⁻ allows for effective separation of photogenerated charges, thereby enhancing the utilization of both photogenerated holes and reactive oxygen species in the reaction. Under optimal conditions, the conversion rate of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural reached 98.9%, and the selectivity for 2,5-diformylfuran reached 92.5%, making it one of the best-performing photocatalytic systems in this field. This work provides a new strategy for the development of efficient bismuth-based photocatalysts for selective oxidation in organic reactions.