The synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from carbohydrates and lignocellulose using an N,N-dimethylacetamide-LiCl solvent system

The synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has been investigated from a number of carbohydrates (fructose, glucose, cellulose, and starch) and a natural biopolymer (lignocellulose) using an N,N-dimethylacetamide-LiCl solvent system. In each case, the dynamics of the desired product formation were evaluated and the optimal reaction times established. The pretreatment of the lignocellulosic substrates was also investigated in terms of its impact on the yields of HMF and furfural. The pretreatment of the substrates with -radiation facilitated the formation of the desired furan products and the optimal dosage was found to be 100kGy. The maximum yields of HMF from fructose, glucose, cellulose, starch, and lignocellulose were 49.9, 34.1, 22.9, 15.3, and 18.4%, respectively. A relationship was observed between the yields of the furan compounds and the BET surface areas of the untreated and pretreated substrates (pine sawdust), which indicated that the pretreatment of this material enhanced the formation of the desired products, with -irradiation being preferable to a mild oxidation process.