Intensified 5‐Ethoxymethylfurfural Production from Biomass Components over Aluminum‐Based Mixed‐Acid Catalyst in Co‐Solvent Medium

Abstract

Presently, very few strategies are available for directly converting glucose-like compounds to 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF), a remarkable biofuel candidate. We report here on this conversion effectively using aluminum-based mixed-acid catalyst in co-solvent medium. The combination of aluminum triflate and Amberlyst-15 exhibited an admirable synergistic catalytic effect for the one-pot cascade conversion of glucose. Importantly, the interfusion of dimethyl sulfoxide into ethanol as cosolvent medium can significantly promote the formation of EMF reducing the extent of side reactions. Based on this protocol, the effects of key process variables on the conversion of glucose were investigated via response surface methodology, leading to EMF in up to a 48.1% yield. The catalytic system can be separated with the reaction products and demonstrates reusability. Also, the generality of developed catalytic strategy can extended to synthesize EMF directly from glucose-based polysaccharides, such as sucrose and starch.

Catalytic Upgrading of Lignocellulosic Biomass Sugars Toward Biofuel 5-Ethoxymethylfurfural

“…During the conversion of glucose to EMF, water may be produced due to dehydration and etherification, which makes the hydrolysis of HMF into LA inevitable in this system (Wang et al, 2021). Since the polar co-solvent limits the conversion of HMF to LA (Morales et al, 2017), such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and GVL, many studies add cosolvents to this system, which significantly inhibited the production of EL (Yu et al, 2018). The amount of cosolvent also affects the yield of EMF.…”

Recent progress in the development of advanced biofuel 5-ethoxymethylfurfural

“…In addition, the one-pot twostep method was utilized to product EMF from glucose, which was carried out by adding H-USY for 5 h and followed by Amberlyst-15 for 6 h [36]. Taking a clue from the above-mentioned design of catalyst, Peng's group proposed a mixed-acid system consisting of Al (OTf) 3 and Amberlyst-15, an optimized EMF yield could be obtained in the ethanol-DMSO solvent system [79]. Presently, the mixed-acid catalytic system with both Lewis acid sites and Brønsted acid sites is a promising one for the ethanolysis of glucose-based substrates to EMF.…”

Catalytic conversion of carbohydrates into 5-ethoxymethylfurfural using γ-AlOOH and CeO2@B2O3 catalyst synergistic effect

“…33 Up to now, the development of a combined catalyst system with different types and strength distributions of acid sites for the one-pot conversion of carbohydrates to EMF remained an emerging challenge. 34,35 Aluminum and its compounds are widely used in solid Lewis acid catalysts. Boehmite, an abundant and inexpensive aluminium oxide hydroxide, has weak Lewis acid sites, and the number of Lewis acid sites can be adjusted with different preparation conditions.…”

“…33 Up to now, the development of a combined catalyst system with different types and strength distributions of acid sites for the one-pot conversion of carbohydrates to EMF remained an emerging challenge. 34,35…”