(738d) Reaction Mechanism and Kinetics of Maleic Acid for Altering the Selectivity of Glucose Dehydration and Degradation

5-hydroxymethyfurfural (HMF) and levulinic acid are platform chemicals for producing a variety of fuels and polymers.  However, undesirable humic substances can be generated in a substantial amounts, lowering the yields of desired products. We report the use of hydrochloric acid and maleic acid separately and mixed with a Lewis acid (AlCl₃) to catalyze the process of glucose isomerization, dehydration, and hydrolysis. Analysis of results between 130 and 180 ^oC were used to develop a kinetic model for the glucose conversion to HMF and levulinic acid by these selected catalysts. Preliminary results show that after 6 minutes at 180^oC maleic acid combined with AlCl₃ generated only 50% of total humins compared to hydrochloric acid combined with AlCl₃. We report an analysis of this shift in selectivity of the reaction toward levulinate and describe possible mechanisms for interactions between maleic/maleate and the reactants and intermediates.