Insights into the metal salt catalyzed 5-ethoxymethylfurfural synthesis from carbohydrates

Abstract

The use of common metal salts as catalysts for 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) synthesis from carbohydrate transformation was performed. Initial screening suggested AlCl3 as an efficient catalyst for EMF synthesis (45.0%) from fructose at 140 °C. Interestingly, CuSO4 and Fe2(SO4)3 were found to yield comparable EMF at lower temperature of 110 to 120 °C, and high yields of ethyl levulinate (65.4–71.8%) were obtained at 150 °C. However, these sulfate salts were inactive in EMF synthesis from glucose and the major product was ethyl glucoside with around 80% yield, whereas EMF of 15.2% yield could be produced from glucose using CrCl3. The conversion of sucrose followed the accumulation of the reaction pathways of fructose and glucose, and a moderate yield of EMF could be achieved.