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

Abstract

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.