Synthesis of hydroxymethylfurfural from sucrose using brönsted-lewis acidic ionic liquid

Abstract

The synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from sucrose was investigated in the presence of the Brönsted-Lewis acidic ionic liquids (ILs). It was concluded that IL 1-(3-sulfonic acid)-propyl-3-methylimidazole chlorochrominate [HO₃S-(CH₂)₃-mim]Cl-CrCl₃ (molar fraction of CrCl₃ x = 0.55) had a good catalytic performance with 78.8% yield of HMF. The acid type of IL played a significant role in the reaction. Lewis acid site acted more effectively than its Brönsted counterpart and a synergetic effect of Brönsted and Lewis acid sites enhanced the IL catalytic performance. The reusability of IL was good.

KEY WORDS: Acidic ionic liquid, Sucrose, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, Catalysis

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2016, 30(2), 283-288.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v30i2.12