Sustainable production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from fructose and inulin using active and stable acidic ionic liquids as homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts

• Published in: Sustainable chemistry and pharmacy Vol. 39; p. 101576
• Main Authors: Leticia J, Mendez, Alicia, Cánepa, Gustavo P, Romanelli, Mónica L, Casella, Lick, Ileana D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2024
• Subjects: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural; Biomass; Fructose; Ionic liquid; Valorization; Biomass; 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural; Valorization; Fructose; Ionic liquid
• ISSN: 2352-5541; 2352-5541
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scp.2024.101576

Two Brønsted acidic ionic liquids (IL) were synthesized by quaternization of an organic base (imidazole and triethylammonium) with 1,4-butane sultone and its successive protonation with sulfuric acid. After a deep characterization, they were tested, as catalyst and solvent, in the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural production from D-fructose. IL1, [C4SO3Hmim][HSO4], showed the best catalytic activity in the dehydration of fructose, obtaining 58% of 5-HMF. This IL could be recycled and reused without appreciable loss of catalytic activity in four catalytic cycles (58%, 57%, 56%, and 53%, respectively). It was used with other carbohydrates (monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides) showing that all substrates containing fructose units were efficiently converted to 5-HMF. Furthermore, a heterogeneous system was prepared with IL1 supported on silica gel, and this system exhibited high activity in the fructose dehydration reaction and a yield of 70% of isolated and purified 5-HMF was achieved. [Display omitted] •Sustainable production of 5-HMF by dehydration was carried out.•Ionic liquids catalyzed the dehydration of fructose.•Dehydration of different sugars was archived.•The [C4SO3Hmim][HSO4] supported on silica gel exhibited high activity and selectivity.