Science · 2007 · 2K citations · 13 references
Natural SciencesChemical EngineeringChemistryCarbohydrate ChemistryCatalysisGreen ChemistryBiofuel ProductionBiomass ConversionCarbohydrate SynthesisCatalytic MechanismsMetal CatalysisBiomass Conversion CatalysisCatalytic Biomass ConversionIonic Liquid CatalysisIonic Liquid Media
Biomass conversion of carbohydrates into diverse chemicals is essential to replace petroleum feedstocks. Metal halides in 1‑alkyl‑3‑methylimidazolium chloride, particularly CrCl₂, convert glucose to HMF with ~70% yield and negligible levulinic acid, and a broad range of halides also efficiently convert fructose to HMF.
Replacing petroleum feedstocks by biomass requires efficient methods to convert carbohydrates to a variety of chemical compounds. We report the catalytic conversion of sugars giving high yield to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a versatile intermediate. Metal halides in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride are catalysts, among which chromium (II) chloride is found to be uniquely effective, leading to the conversion of glucose to HMF with a yield near 70%. A wide range of metal halides is found to catalyze the conversion of fructose to HMF. Only a negligible amount of levulinic acid is formed in these reactions.
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Bernard M. Kabyemela, Tadafumi Adschiri, Roberto M. Malaluan et al. · Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research · 1999 · 582 citations