Kao Corporation

Kai Yashiro

Masato Nomura

Yukiko Tabuchi

Kaoru Ohmae

The present invention relates to a process for producing 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid by subjecting 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to oxidation reaction in the presence of water, oxygen and an activated carbon-supported metal catalyst containing a noble metal, the process including the following steps (1) and (2) in which the steps (1) and (2) are carried out under a pressure of not less than 0.1 MPa and less than 1.0 MPa while maintaining a reaction solution at a pH of not more than 7, and an amount of the oxygen fed until a time at which the step (2) is terminated is not less than 120 mol % and not more than 140 mol % on the basis of the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural charged: step (1): conducting the oxidation reaction at a temperature of not lower than 50&#xb0; C. and not higher than 110&#xb0; C. until a content of the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in the reaction solution falls within the range of not less than 0 mg/kg and not more than 1,000 mg/kg; and step (2): subjecting the reaction solution obtained after completion of the step (1) to the oxidation reaction at a temperature of not lower than 140&#xb0; C. and not higher than 250&#xb0; C.

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Wakayama, Japan

Kai Yashiro