Efficient conversion of monosaccharides into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and levulinic acid in InCl3-H2O medium

The conversion of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and levulinic acid (LA) was investigated and catalyzed by indium trichloride (InCl3) in water. 79% 5-HMF yield (15 min) and 45% LA yield (60 min) were obtained at 180 degrees C with 2.5 mol% InCl3. Additionally, comparative studies of glucose/fructose mixture with different ratios as substrates were carried out to manifest the isomerization process between glucose and fructose during the conversion of monosaccharides into chemicals. It was shown that InCl3 was not only active in the isomerization of glucose to fructose and the reverse direction, but also demonstrated an excellent activity in the dehydration and conversion of monosaccharides. InCl3-H2O system presented a remarkable catalytic effect on the dehydration and conversion of monosaccharides. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.