Direct Conversion of Mono‐ and Polysaccharides into 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural Using Ionic‐Liquid Mixtures

Abstract

Platform chemicals are usually derived from petrochemical feedstocks. A sustainable alternative commences with lignocellulosic biomass, a renewable feedstock, but one that is highly challenging to process. Ionic liquids (ILs) are able to solubilize biomass and, in the presence of catalysts, convert the biomass into useful platform chemicals. Herein, we demonstrate that mixtures of ILs are powerful systems for the selective catalytic transformation of cellulose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Combining ILs with continuous HMF extraction into methyl-isobutyl ketone or 1,2-dimethoxyethane, which form a biphase with the IL mixture, allows the online separation of HMF in high yield. This one-step process is operated under relatively mild conditions and represents a significant step forward towards sustainable HMF production.

Acid‐Catalyzed Conversion of Carbohydrates into Value‐Added Small Molecules in Aqueous Media and Ionic Liquids

“…Subsequent work with [C 3 SO 3 Hmim]HSO 4 combined with InCl 3 suffered lower yields of the major products and a requirement for longer operation times (Table ) . The combination of CrCl 2 and [C 4 SO 3 Hmim]CF 3 SO 3 , used in the biphasic system [C 2 OHmim]Cl and 1,2‐dimethoxyethane, gives significant yields of HMF (Table ) . It is possible to shift the process towards the formation of levulinic acid by using the IL [C 3 SO 3 Hmim]HSO 4 and an excess of water .…”

“…[150] [151] phasic system [C 2 OHmim]Cl and 1,2-dimethoxyethane, gives significant yields of HMF (Table 4). [155] It is possible to shift the process towards the formation of levulinic acid by using the IL [C 3 SO 3 Hmim]HSO 4 and an excess of water. [156] This shift is likely to be induced by the rehydration of HMF at higher loadings of water and by hydrolysis of the IL into sulfuric acid, which promotes this reaction.…”

Rapid, High‐Yield Fructose Dehydration to 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural in Mixtures of Water and the Noncoordinating Ionic Liquid [bmim][OTf]

“…This sector has experienced substantial investment in research but little commercial activity.I na report submittedt ot he European CommissionD irectorate on General Energy, ac onsortium led by E4tech, RE-CORDa nd WUR [2] discussed 94 green products,i ncluding chemicals, biofuels, and polymers, which were identified as accessible from sugars obtained from the pretreatment of sustainable biomass feedstocks. [5][6][7][8][9] The use of ionic liquids to produce biorenewable chemicals has illustrated many of the advantages associated with ionic liquid media, such as their low volatility and nonflammability,e ven if concerns have been raised more recently over the toxicity of these solvents. Of the 94 productso btained from these sugars, 25 were selected as involving feasible technologiest hat are suitablef or large-scale prototype testing in ap ilot plant.…”

Leather‐Promoted Transformation of Glucose into 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural and Levoglucosenone

“…Other valuable products that can be derived from biomass sources include levoglucosenone, furfural, and levulinic acid . The catalytic tools developed aim to be cheap and efficient, and it has been shown that ionic liquids (ILs) in combination with chromium salts (especially halide salts) efficiently catalyze the transformation of glucose into 5‐HMF …”