Green chemicals from D-glucose: Systematic studies on catalytic effects of inorganic salts on the chemo-selectivity and yield in aqueous solutions

Abstract

The use of inorganic salts as catalysts for the reactions of D-glucose in aqueous solutions in a batch reactor is reported. The type of salt and effect of reaction time were examined in detail at a fixed salt (5 mM) and dglucose concentration (0.1 M) and at a temperature of 140°C. Al(III) and Cr(II) salts gave the highest conversion of D-glucose. Typical reaction products were organic acids like lactic acid, levulinic acid, furanics like hydroxymethylfurfural and insoluble products (humins). The chemoselectivity is a clear function of the type of inorganic salt. For Al(III), the major water soluble product was lactic acid, for Zn(II) HMF was formed in the highest yields. A reaction scheme is proposed to explain the observed product compositions. © The Author(s) 2010.