Kinetics of levulinic acid formation from carbohydrates at moderate temperatures

The kinetic curves of levulinic acid accumulation in the process of saccharide dehydration at 80-98degreesC are compared. The structural features of the substrates and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, which is the intermediate of the process, explain the observed difference in the rates of fructose and glucose conversion. Sulfuric acid can be effectively used under moderate conditions to synthesize levulinic acid with yields exceeding 35 mol % for glucose and 50% for sucrose at 98degreesC.