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“One-Pot” Synthesis of 5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural from Carbohydrates using Tin-Beta Zeolite

Journal Article · · ACS Catalysis
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cs2000544· OSTI ID:1064997
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1]
  1. California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA (United States)
  2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (United States)
  3. Inst. de Technologia Quimica (UPV-CSIC), Vanencia (Spain)

Conversion of carbohydrates to 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) may provide a step forward toward achieving a renewable biomass-based chemicals and fuels platform. Recently, we reported that a tin-containing, high-silica molecular sieve with the zeolite beta topology (Sn-Beta) can efficiently catalyze the isomerization of glucose to fructose in aqueous media at low pH. Herein, we describe the combination of Sn-Beta with acid catalysts in a one vessel, biphasic reactor system to synthesize HMF from carbohydrates such as glucose, cellobiose, and starch with high efficiency. HMF selectivities over 70% were obtained using this ''one-pot'' biphasic water/tetrahydrofuran (THF) reactor system. The key to successfully achieving the conversions/selectivities reported is that Sn-Beta is able to convert glucose to fructose at pH near 1 and in saturated aqueous salt solutions.

Research Organization:
Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC); Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation (CCEI)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE SC Office of Basic Energy Sciences (SC-22)
DOE Contract Number:
SC0001004
OSTI ID:
1064997
Journal Information:
ACS Catalysis, Journal Name: ACS Catalysis Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 1; ISSN 2155-5435
Publisher:
American Chemical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English