Process for converting polysaccharides in an inorganic molten salt hydrate

摘要

A process is disclosed for converting a polysaccharide-containing biomass material to platform chemicals. The process comprises dissolving the polysaccharides in an inorganic molten salt hydrate, converting the polysaccharides to monosaccharides, and converting the monosaccharides to derivatized (di)anhydro sugars that are easily separable from the inorganic molten salt hydrate. The derivatized (di)anhydro sugars are useful as fuel additives and fuel substitutes.