Catalyst-Based Synthesis of 2,5-Dimethylfuran from Carbohydratesas a Sustainable Biofuel Production Route

The development of renewable energy resources isstrongly urged to recoup the shortage of fossil-based energy and itsassociated pollution issues. Energy production from carbohydratematerials has recently been of great interest due to the availability,reliability, and abundance of carbohydrate sources. Significantly,the catalytic transformation of waste carbohydrates into furan-based biofuels, specifically 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), appears tobe an attractive solution to the aforementioned energy andenvironmental issues. The potential of DMF as a renewable fuel isprospective, with its physicochemical properties that are similar tothose of fossil fuels. Therefore, the current work focuses on theproduction of DMF, with the important aspects for enhancedDMF yield being summarized herein. Notably, the significant catalysts derived from zeolite, noble-metal, non-noble-metal, metal-organic framework, and electrocatalytic materials are discussed, alongside their effects in deriving carbohydrates to DMF.Furthermore, the mechanisms of DMF production were clarified too, followed by the scrutinization of the effects from reactionconditions, solvents, and hydrogen donors onto the DMF yield. Finally, the purification process, commercialization potential, andeconomic feasibility of DMF production were incorporated too, with insightful future directions being identified at the end of ourreview. This review is expected to advocate DMF production from carbohydrate materials, which could alleviate the energy andenvironmental problems encountered presently.

Automated summary

This review discusses the potential and methods of catalytic transformation of waste carbohydrates into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) as a renewable fuel. The significant catalysts, DMF production mechanisms, reaction conditions, and other key factors affecting DMF yield are summarized. Furthermore, the purification process, commercialization potential, and economic feasibility of DMF production are explored, with insightful future directions identified.