The efficient conversion of D-Fructose to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural using organic acids as catalytic promoters

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is one of the main chemical building blocks to generate other high value-added biofuels and biochemicals. This study aimed to produce HMF from fructose dehydration under a biphasic system using various organic acids as catalytic promoters, such as formic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, and levulinic acid. Among these organic acids, the acetic acid was found to be the best promoter in this system. The experimental results showed a prominent correlation between the HMF formation and the pK(a) - the higher pK(a) gave rise to greater HMF yield and lower activity toward side reactions. Response surface methodology was performed to identify the optimum reaction temperature, time, and promoter concentration for fructose dehydration. Among the three variables, the reaction temperature played the most significant role in fructose conversion and HMF yield. The optimum condition to achieve the highest HMF yield at 72.5% from fructose dehydration was found at 195.8 degrees C under a mild concentration of acetic acid at 0.075 M for 3.2 min.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the production of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from fructose dehydration using various organic acids as catalytic promoters. Acetic acid was found to be the most effective promoter in this system. The study also identified the optimum reaction conditions using response surface methodology.