Synthesis of adipic acid, a key monomer of nylon-66 and polyurethane, from biomass is highly attractive for establishing green and sustainable chemical processes. Here, we report that zirconia-supported rhenium oxide (ReOx/ZrO2) efficiently catalyses the deoxydehydration of cellulose-derived D-glucaric acid, offering adipic acid ester with a yield of 82% by combining with a Pd/C catalyst in subsequent reactions.
