Production of hydroxymethylfurfural from levoglucosenone

摘要

Disclosed are processes comprising contacting an aqueous reaction mixture having an initial pH between about 3 and about 6 and comprising levoglucosenone with a catalyst, and heating the reaction mixture to form a product mixture comprising 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural. The processes may further comprise heating the product mixture comprising 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst to form a second product mixture comprising one or more of 2,5-furandimethanol, tetrahydrofuran 2,5-dimethanol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 2-hydroxymethyltetrahydropyran, and 1,6-hexanediol.

主权项

1. A process comprising:
a) contacting an aqueous reaction mixture comprising levoglucosenone with a catalyst, wherein the initial pH of the reaction mixture is between about 3 and about 6, and b) heating the reaction mixture at a temperature between about 120° C. and about 200° C. at a pressure of ambient pressure to about 1000 psi for a time sufficient to form a product mixture comprising 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural.