(726d) In Situ Esterification and Production of 5-(hydroxymethyl)Furfural From Biomass Sugars in Ionic Liquid Media

5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) serves as an important platform chemical in the production of fuels and chemical from lignocellulosic biomass. Production of HMF from fructose or glucose in aqueous and Ionic Liquid (IL) media has previously been demonstrated. However, during the production of furans from biomass sugars considerable loss in furan yields is, in general, encountered, due to the participation of furans in side-reactions that produce resins and humins. To increase furan yields, is to attempt to convert the furan into other useful derivatives in the same pot as it is formed. In situ esterification of HMF during its formation from sugars, have been investigated to produced useful derivatives and consequently increase the products yield. The yield of 5-(acetoxymethyl)furfural, an ideal starting material for 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, as a major product of simultaneous esterification of formed HMF by acetic acid reaches to 60 mol%. Beside the HMF yield was 21 mol % at 80 °C for 6 hours reaction duration in [EMIM]Cl at presence of acid catalysis starting with fructose as feed. This shows significant improvement in products yield comparing to 60 mol% yield of the only HMF production from fructose in the same conditions. The other significant advantage of this method is easier separation and isolation of the HMF derivatives from IL media compare to HMF that makes process more cost effective. Moreover, other organic acid and glucose as a feed have been investigated for esterification.