In this paper, we present the results of a study on 5-HMF production from fructose by means of heterogeneous catalysts in aqueous media. Mild conditions were used, setting the temperature between 393 K and 443 K. Cerium(iv) phosphates, different from other metal(iv)-phosphates, such as titanium and zirconium, have been characterized only recently. Ce-phosphates are quite complex structures as they show several arrangements. They undergo leaching of the phosphate group as phosphoric acid with consequent slow de-activation of the catalysts. The leaching rate depends on the nature and on the temperature of the calcination of the original phosphates. This opened the question whether the conversion was driven by the heterogeneous catalysts or by the soluble phosphoric acid. A specific test has demonstrated that the solid catalysts are responsible for the conversion of fructose into 5-HMF, more than the liquid phase. We have also demonstrated that the leached phosphate is substituted by fructose on the solid catalyst. A best yield of 52% with selectivity of 93% in batch and 24% in a flow reactor at 443 K (single pass) with a selectivity also >95% were obtained.

A very simple method has been developed for the selective synthesis of symmetrical N,N0- bis(hydroxyalkyl)ureas, OC[NH-(CH2)x-OH]2 (x = 3–6), by oxidative carbonylation of a,v-amino alcohols [3-aminopropanol (3-AP), 4-aminobutanol (4-AB), 5-aminopentanol (5-APe), 6-aminohexanol (6-AH)] with CO/O2 mixtures (O2 = 5 mol%) in the presence of Pd(II)/ligand/NEt3HI catalytic systems. The catalytic process takes place under very mild conditions (p(CO/O2) = 0.1 MPa; 303–333 K). The target products can be isolated in high yield through a very simple and straightforward procedure. The catalytic system can be easily recovered and recycled for several times. The influence of a few reaction parameters (nature of ancillary ligand and iodide co-catalyst, I/Pd molar ratio, etc.) on the catalytic activity has also been investigated and the mainmechanistic features of the catalytic process fully elucidated.

The chapter provides an updated account of the research activity concerning the utilization of carbon dioxide in the synthesis of carbamates, isocyanates, and ureas.