Direct conversion of cellulose to 1-(furan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethanone in zinc chloride solution under microwave irradiation

Conversion of cellulose to 1-(furan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethanone has been demonstrated in concentrated zinc chloride solution under microwave irradiation. Compared with the conventional oil-bath heating mode, microwave irradiation significantly reduced the reaction time and increased the yield of 1-(furan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethanone. A typical degradation reaction with cellulose produced 1-(furan-2yl)-2-hydroxyethanone in 12.0% molar yield in ZnCl2 solution (ZnCl2-H2O ratio = 2.25:1, w/w) with microwave irradiation at 600W for 5 minutes at 135 degrees C. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.