Conversion of carbohydrates into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using polymer bound sulfonic acids as efficient and recyclable catalysts

52-94% yields of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides were achieved using PEG-OSO3H or PS-PEG-OSO3H as reusable catalysts in a DMSO/H2O reaction system. Using polymer-supported catalysis, corn stover could also be effectively transformed into HMF and furfural.