Xylose Isomerization to Xylulose and its Dehydration to Furfural in Aqueous Media

Abstract

A nonenzymatic route for xylose isomerization in an aqueous medium using zeolite Sn-beta as a catalyst is demonstrated. Xylulose and lyxose are the primary and secondary products. The maximum yield to xylulose is 27%, with an 11% yield to lyxose at ∼60% xylose conversion at 100 °C. When the Sn-beta zeolite is combined with a Brønsted acid catalyst, furfural forms in a single pot from xylose in an aqueous medium at much lower temperatures than typically employed for this reaction.