Preparation of 5-methylfurfural from starch in one step by iodide mediated metal-free hydrogenolysis

Abstract

Starch is available in large quantities and at cheap price, especially that from stale rice, root and tuber crops, <italic>etc.</italic> A metal-free approach to convert starch to 5-methylfurfural using HCl, NaI and H₂ in a biphasic solvent system has been developed.