Efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from concentrated aqueous fructose.

Abstract

Studies on the HCl-catalysed microwave-assisted dehydration of highly concentrated aqueous fructose (27 wt%) to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) revealed a significant increase in the fructose conversion rate over the conventional heated systems. Water, being the most benign solvent and therefore ideal for green and sustainable chemistry, normally is a poor solvent for the dehydration process resulting in low HMF selectivities and yields. However, reaction at 200 degrees C with microwave irradiation with a short reaction time of only 1s resulted in good HMF selectivity of 63% and fructose conversion of 52%, while prolonged irradiation for 60s (or more) resulted in nearly full fructose conversion (95%) but lower HMF yield (53%). Decreasing the fructose concentration significantly improved the HMF selectivity, but possibly made the production route less attractive from an industrial point of view due to the resultant low throughput.

• Authors: Thomas S Hansen, John M Woodley, Anders Riisager
• Journal: Carbohydrate research (Carbohydr Res) Vol. 344 Issue 18 Pg. 2568-72 (Dec 14 2009) ISSN: 1873-426X [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19850284 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Water
• Fructose
• 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
• Furaldehyde

Topics

• Desiccation
• Fructose (chemistry)
• Furaldehyde (analogs & derivatives, chemical synthesis)
• Green Chemistry Technology
• Microwaves
• Temperature
• Water