Insight into the catalytic mechanism of CuCeOx/C for the hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan

2,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) is a diol with great potential for polyester monomer. Herein, an efficient CuCeOx/C was synthesized using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a sacrificial template for the catalytic hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to BHMF. Under the optimal conditions, the BHMF yield of over 98 % was obtained. The unique catalyst reactivity originated from the synergism of the rich oxygen vacancies (OV) and Cu2+/Cu0-species on the catalyst surface. The incorporation of CeOx as support strengthened the electrophilicity for the Cu2+-species, which was beneficial to the adsorption of the negative aldehyde groups in HMF. The Cu2+ and Cu0-species on the CuCeOx/C surface were responsible for adsorbing HMF and activating H2. The selective adsorption of the aldehyde group in HMF via the oxygen-terminal through a vertical or tilted configuration ensured the efficient hydrogenation of HMF to BHMF.