Production and upgrading of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using heterogeneous catalysts and biomass-derived solvents

High yields of HMF from glucose can be achieved using biomass-derived solvents and a combination of solid Lewis and Bronsted catalysts in a salt-free reaction system. The HMF produced in this system can be oxidized to FDCA or hydrogenated to DMF, both being high-value chemicals.