An Integrated Approach for the Production and Isolation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural from Carbohydrates

Abstract

Crystal clear: An integrated, simple, efficient, reusable, and scalable methodology for the dehydration of fructose to HMF offers outstanding yields and high purities. The method uses wet tetraethylammonium bromide as reaction medium, allowing the isolation of HMF by crystallization from the reaction medium. The process is also feasible starting from other carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose, or inulin.

Green synthesis from biomass

“…The most desirable route to produce HMF involves widely available biorenewable resources like cellulose [41,42]. However, achieving efficient direct transformation of cellulose into HMF seems less feasible [5,13].…”

“…Hence, easy-to-crystallize, little volatile solids have been used as reaction media (tetraethylammonium bromide) to produce HMF under homogeneous conditions. In this situation, the reaction medium melts, and the carbohydrates solubilize at the temperature required for the reaction [41]. After cooling, addition of an appropriate and renewable organic solvent (ethanol and ethyl acetate) should prompt precipitation at room temperature.…”

“…The unpurified mixture of alkyl-pentosides (5 and 6) displays good surface tension properties Scheme 2 Integrated approach for HMF production and isolation from carbohydrates (From ref. [41]). …”

Direct Catalytic Conversion of Cellulose to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Using Ionic Liquids

“…For this reason, the challenge remains to find a potentially economically viable method for cellulose conversion to useful products without significant environmental impact. While HMF production from sugar monomers is largely straightforward, the most desirable and challenging route to produce HMF involves widely available renewable sources such as cellulose [43]. However, a high-yield, low-cost, energy-efficient, and direct conversion of cellulose into HMF is still a challenge and the subject of substantial research.…”

“…This has led some researchers to explore removing HMF from the aqueous phase (which contains the sugars) using immiscible organic solvents, thereby reducing humin formation [42]. While HMF production from sugar monomers is largely straightforward, the most desirable and challenging route to produce HMF involves widely available renewable sources such as cellulose [43]. However, a high-yield, low-cost, energy-efficient, and direct conversion of cellulose into HMF is still a challenge and the subject of substantial research.…”