Valorization of sugarcane bagasse C5-fraction by furfural production mediated by renewable glycine-based ionic liquid

In this work, a green method to produce furfural from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) acid hydrolysates is proposed via a route mediated by a renewable glycine-based ionic liquid, [GlyIm][HSO4], and using a green biphasic system composed of water (reaction solvent) and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF extraction solvent) to avoid side reactions and optimize furfural yields. The process was carried out in two steps: (i) SCB acid hydrolysis and (ii) furfural production from the acid hydrolysates. The best conditions for C5 sugar extraction from sugarcane bagasse (150 degrees C, 30 min, 4% v/v H2SO4) were determined based on a 23 full factorial design. The best conditions extracted up to 85% of hemicellulose, mainly as xylose, resulting in a solid prone to further valorization as a co product. Optimized conditions for furfural production using xylose as the sugar source (180 degrees C for 10 min using 10 eq. of ionic liquid) were also determined using a 23 full factorial design and resulted in 87 & PLUSMN; 2% of furfural yield. According to the Design of Experiments (DoE), higher furfural yields were achieved at 180 degrees C, regardless of the reaction time (10 or 60 min). By applying the optimized conditions for furfural production in the sugarcane hydrolysates, a 90% furfural yield was achieved, and no lignin interference was observed in furfural production.

Automated summary

A green and efficient method for producing furfural from sugarcane bagasse acid hydrolysates was developed using a renewable glycine-based ionic liquid and a biphasic system. Optimization of the conditions for C5 sugar extraction and furfural production resulted in high yields without lignin interference. The use of these optimized conditions achieved a 90% furfural yield from sugarcane hydrolysates.