Production of HMF in high yield using a low cost and recyclable carbonaceous catalyst

In this study, sulfonated wood pulp catalysts were produced by hydrothermal carbonization of softwood pulp and functionalized using H2SO4. These newly synthesized catalysts were used in a one-pot reaction system where ionic liquid [BMIM+][Cl-] acted as a solvent and MIBK acted as the organic phase in the conversion of fructose to HMF. Using response surface methodology, molar yields as high as 98.6% were obtained at mild conditions of 112 degrees C and 24 min with a catalyst load of 5% weight. The catalyst was easily recovered by filtration and used four times with minor loss in catalytic activity. XRD patterns showed that the material remained stable through the reaction conditions.