Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of 5-(Ethoxymethyl)furfural from Fructose Catalyzed by a Novel Solid Catalyst

A novel method has been developed for the direct conversion of fructose into 5-(ethoxymethyl)furfural (EMF) catalyzed by an organic-inorganic hybrid solid catalyst [MIMBS](3)PW12O40. First, etherification of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) by ethanol was studied over a series of catalysts, and [MIMBS](3)PW12O40 showed the best catalytic activity with an EMF yield of 90.7% at 70 degrees C. Then the one-pot dehydrative etherification of fructose into EMF was studied. It indicated that a low temperature. (70 degrees C) was not favored for the dehydrative etherification process, and a high temperature (110 degrees C) was favored to promote Side reactions. A high EMF yield of 90.5% was obtained from fructose at 90 degrees C with 5 mol % catalyst for 24 h. The recycling test:demonstrated that [MIMBS](3)PW12O40 could be reused several times without losing catalytic activity, with an average EMF yield of approximate 90%. This work provides a meaning-ill method for the conversion of carbohydrates into fine chemicals and biofuel additives.