Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) Synthesis from Starch with Zeolite Based Catalysts

Abstract

AbstractIn the study, it is aimed to use effective zeolite‐based catalysts for the synthesis of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from starch in different solvent environments. Al, Zn, and heteropolyacid (HPW) loaded USY zeolites are prepared and characterized using XRD, BET method, Inductive Coupling Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS), Pyridine‐DRIFTS, and X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The efficiency of the prepared catalysts is investigated in 1‐Butyl‐3‐Methylimidazolium Chloride (BMIMCI) ionic liquid, DMSO, and THF solvents at different temperatures and reaction times for HMF synthesis. 24.5% HMF yield using Zn‐USY zeolite and 50.3% HMF yield using USY H‐zeolite is obtained in BMIMCI ionic liquid at 130 °C for 3 h. HMF yield of 47% is obtained using Zn‐USY zeolite catalyst at 160 °C in 4 h, at 170 °C in 2 h, and at 180 °C in 1 h in DMSO. In a two‐phase reaction medium with THF and H2O, the HMF yield is 46.8% at 160 °C in 4 h, 52.2% at 170 °C in 30 min, and 38.1% at 180 °C in 2 h with Zn‐USY zeolite catalyst. The reusability of the Zn‐USY zeolite has been tested and the efficiency of catalyst does not decrease in reuse for five times.