Highly selective and near-quantitative conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using mildly acidic ionic liquids

Abstract

The room-temperature ionic liquid, [C4C1im][HSO 4], provides a multi-faceted medium in which to convert fructose to the versatile chemical building block, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). A range of metal salts have been investigated in order to establish some of the properties required for the optimization of this process. This has led to almost quantitative conversion of fructose to 5-HMF in a system that is both selective for the desired product, less energy intensive, and more environmentally benign than the commercial process. © 2014 American Chemical Society.