Catalytic Conversion of Xylose to Furfural by p-Toluenesulfonic Acid (pTSA) and Chlorides: Process Optimization and Kinetic Modeling

Furfural is one of the most promising precursor chemicals with an extended range of downstream derivatives. In this work, conversion of xylose to produce furfural was performed by employing p-toluenesulfonic acid (pTSA) as a catalyst in DMSO medium at moderate temperature and atmospheric pressure. The production process was optimized based on kinetic modeling of xylose conversion to furfural alongwith simultaneous formation of humin from xylose and furfural. The synergetic effects of organic acids and Lewis acids were investigated. Results showed that the catalyst pTSA-CrCl3 center dot 6H(2)O was a promising combined catalyst due to the high furfural yield (53.10%) at a moderate temperature of 120 degrees C. Observed kinetic modeling illustrated that the condensation of furfural in the DMSO solvent medium actually could be neglected. The established model was found to be satisfactory and could be well applied for process simulation and optimization with adequate accuracy. The estimated values of activation energies for xylose dehydration, condensation of xylose, and furfural to humin were 81.80, 66.50, and 93.02 kJ/mol, respectively.

Automated summary

Furfural production from xylose using p-toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst in DMSO medium was studied. The optimal catalyst was found to be pTSA-CrCl3 • 6H2O, which achieved a high furfural yield of 53.10% at 120 degrees C. Kinetic modeling showed that the condensation of furfural in the solvent medium could be neglected.