Direct transformation of cellulose into 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural using a combination of metal chlorides in imidazolium ionic liquid

Direct transformation of cellulose into HMF was carried out using a combination of metal chlorides in ionic liquid [EMIM]Cl. From high throughput screening of various metal chlorides, a combination of CrCl2 and RuCl3 was found as the most effective catalyst. HMF was directly afforded from cellulose in nearly 60% yield. Gram scale-up synthesis of HMF was successfully performed from cellulose using CrCl2 and RuCl3. Furthermore, lignocellulosic raw material reed could be directly converted into HMF and furfural in reasonable yields under these conditions.