Synthesis of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Using Ionic Liquid [Bmim][br] From Residual Soybean and Rice Biomasses

Abstract

In contrast to the major environmental impacts of the petrochemical activity, renewable energy sources have been developing, and among this, biomass has stood out. Among the derivatives obtained from biomass, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is considered a key piece in this process. This work aims at the use of rice and soybean hulls for the synthesis of HMF using the ionic liquid [BMIM][Br], aiming the sustainability of this process. Initially the physical pretreatment of biomass followed by acid hydrolysis was carried out. For the synthesis of HMF, 5ml of the hydrolyzate, 2g of ionic liquid at 120ºC, were used in different reaction times. The results were analyzed by infrared spectrophotometry and by high performance liquid chromatography. The best results in both biomasses were after 2h of reaction reaching a concentration of up to 25 times greater when compared to the hydrolyzate, showing the high potential of ionic liquid [BMIM] [Br] in the synthesis of furanic compounds.
 Keywords: Furanic compounds, raw biomass, ionic liquids.