Conversion of Hemicellulose into Furfural Using Solid Acid Catalysts in γ‐Valerolactone

Abstract

Hold the water: The hemicellulose fraction of lignocellulose can be converted into furfural in high yields (80 %) using solid acid catalysts (H-mordenite) in a monophasic system with γ-valerolactone (GVL) as the solvent. Furfural degradation reactions are decreased significantly when the water concentration in GVL is minimized, thus resulting in high furfural yields.