Catalysis of ordered nanoporous materials for fructose dehydration through difructose anhydride intermediate

A fructose reaction network, including difructose anhydride (DFA) - fructose cycle in parallel with fructose dehydration following with 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) side reactions, was devised. By applying H2O - MIBK biphasic solvent MIBK could act as an extractant of HMF and also a promoter for fructose dehydration. By raising reaction severity, molecular sieve catalysed improved HMF selectivity by suppression of DFA formation. While narrow pore zeolites and sulfated mesoporous silica catalysed 90% HMF selectivity at 85-94% fructose conversion, the large pore 12-MR zeolites exhibited low HMF selectivity returning with excessive humin formation due to their shape selective catalysis for HMF oligomerization. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.