Ionic Liquids Mediated One‐Pot Synthesis of Second Generation 5‐Ethoxymethylfurfural (5‐EMF); A Potent Biofuel Candidate

Abstract

5-Ethoxymethylfurfural (5-EMF) is a promising fuel alternative and biofuel additive due to its high energy potential. Principal method for its synthesis is etherification of hydroxyl group of 5hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), produced by the dehydration of fructose. Currently existing methods for the synthesis of 5-EMF are not industrially feasible due to the issues associated with their starting materials; either they are highly expensive (such as 5-HMF), or compete with food (sugars such as fructose and glucose). Herein, we are reporting a one-pot protocol for the synthesis of 5-EMF using non-food indigenous agricultural waste material, thus completely eliminating the both issues. Cost is also very much reduced due to the utilization of cheap pyridinium based ionic liquids. Energy, time and solvents use is also reduced, as reaction is happening in a single pot. The process is optimized first for fructose (73 % 5-EMF yield) and glucose (16 % 5-EMF), and was then extended for real biopolymeric cellulose (16 % 5-EMF) and wheat husk biomass (15 % 5-EMF). Product was characterized via HPLC and 1 HNMR spectroscopy.