Maleic
acid (MA) is a platform chemical used for various industrial
processes. In this study, a new electrochemical oxidation method that
can convert furfural, which is one of the most important C5 platform
chemicals derived from cellulosic biomass, to MA is reported. This
method can produce MA in aqueous media under ambient temperature and
pressure without the use of oxidizing agents. The use of acidic media,
which promotes opening of the furan ring during oxidation, was critical
for the formation of MA. PbO<sub>2</sub>, MnO<sub>2</sub>, and Pt,
which are stable in acidic solutions under strongly oxidizing potentials,
were investigated as anodes for furfural oxidation. The results showed
that PbO<sub>2</sub> is the only catalyst that can convert furfural
to MA as the major product. It was also revealed that the electrochemical
conversion of furfural to MA proceeds with 2-furanol as an intermediate
