Chapter 14 - Chemocatalytic pathways for high-efficiency production of 2,5-dimethylfuran from biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Abstract

Compared with commercial bioethanol, 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which is synthesized by the selective hydrogenation of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), contains a higher energy density, a higher boiling point, a higher octane number, and a negligible water solubility, and has been regarded as a new-type and high-quality fuel in recent years. Moreover, DMF can also serve as a promising replacement for the production of p-xylene (pX). Therefore based on excellent physicochemical properties, broad market prospects, and current research situations of DMF, this chapter systematically summarizes various catalytic pathways, such as conventional hydrogenation, transfer hydrogenation, and electrocatalytic hydrogenation, for the production of DMF, in which hydrogen donors, catalysts, solvents, and corresponding reaction mechanisms are highlighted. Additionally, this chapter also outlines the latest results for the further upgrading of DMF into pX, aimed at providing useful ideas and references for the high-efficiency production and application of DMF.