Direct, High‐Yield Conversion of Cellulose into Biofuel

Abstract

Fueling up with furans: Cellulose can be converted into furanic biofuels in unprecedented yields using an inexpensive, simple process involving concurrent hydrolysis, dehydration, and chlorine substitution reactions coupled with continuous extraction into an organic phase (see scheme). Furanic ethers, such as those that can be derived from the products above, are known diesel additives.