Efficient conversion of carbohydrates to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) using ZrCl4 catalyst in nitromethane

摘要

Solvent nitromethane along with a variety of metal chloride and mineral acids as catalyst were studied for the synthesis of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a key precursor in the formation of alternative fuel 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) and other value added chemicals. Reaction time, temperature and catalyst concentration were also systematically studied to achieve highest HMF formation. Among the carbohydrates studied for HMF synthesis, D-fructose and inulin were found particularly most productive yielding >70% and with 100% selectivity using ZrCl4 in nitromethane at 100 oC during 3h. Readily available reagents, solvents, and simple reaction conditions could mark this process promising for HMF formation from biomass.