Three‐Phase Catalytic System of H2O, Ionic Liquid, and VOPO4–SiO2 Solid Acid for Conversion of Fructose to 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural. Issue 6 (11th April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tian, Chengcheng; Zhu, Xiang; Chai, Song‐Hai; Wu, Zili; Binder, Andrew; Brown, Suree; Li, Lin; Luo, Huimin; Guo, Yanglong; Dai, Sheng
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 7:Issue 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 1703
• Page End: 1709
• Publication Date: 2014-04-11
• Subjects: Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201400119
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Efficient transformation of biomass‐derived feedstocks to chemicals and fuels remains a daunting challenge in utilizing biomass as alternatives to fossil resources. A three‐phase catalytic system, consisting of an aqueous phase, a hydrophobic ionic‐liquid phase, and a solid‐acid catalyst phase of nanostructured vanadium phosphate and mesostructured cellular foam (VPO–MCF), is developed for efficient conversion of biomass‐derived fructose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). HMF is a promising, versatile building block for production of value‐added chemicals and transportation fuels. The essence of this three‐phase system lies in enabling the isolation of the solid‐acid catalyst from the aqueous phase and regulation of its local environment by using a hydrophobic ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([BMIM][Tf₂N]). This system significantly inhibits the side reactions of HMF with H₂O and leads to 91 mol % selectivity to HMF at 89 % of fructose conversion. The unique three‐phase catalytic system opens up an alternative avenue for making solid‐acid catalyst systems with controlled and locally regulated microenvironment near catalytically active sites by using a hydrophobic ionic liquid</p> </abstract>