Catalytic conversion of cellulose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over chromium trichloride in ionic liquid

An efficient method for converting cellulose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) using an inexpensive ionic liquid tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) and relatively low-toxicity catalyst of chromium (III) trichloride (CrCl3 center dot 6H(2)O) was developed. The effects of hydrochloric acid loading, catalyst dosage, reaction temperature and time on the yield of 5-HMF were surveyed to achieve optimal reaction conditions. A 5-HMF yield of 43.7% was obtained within 90 min at 140 A degrees C using oil-bath heating. Glucose and starch were also investigated as feedstock to produce 5-HMF in TBAC/CrCl3 center dot 6H(2)O system, in which the 5-HMF yield was considerable. After 5-HMF was extracted, TBAC/CrCl3 center dot 6H(2)O could be used for several runs.