Aqueous-Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent-Enhanced 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Production from Glucose, Starch, and Food Wastes

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural and its Downstream Chemicals: A Review of Catalytic Routes

Biomass assumes an increasingly vital role in the realm of renewable energy and sustainable development due to its abundant availability, renewability, and minimal environmental impact. Within this context, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), derived from sugar dehydration, stands out as a critical bio-derived product. It serves as a pivotal multifunctional platform compound, integral in synthesizing various vital chemicals, including furan-based polymers, fine chemicals, and biofuels. The high reactivity of HMF, attributed to its highly active aldehyde, hydroxyl, and furan ring, underscores the challenge of selectively regulating its conversion to obtain the desired products. This review highlights the research progress on efficient catalytic systems for HMF synthesis, oxidation, reduction, and etherification. Additionally, it outlines the techno-economic analysis (TEA) and prospective research directions for the production of furan-based chemicals. Despite significant progress in catalysis research, and certain process routes demonstrating substantial economics, with key indicators surpassing petroleum-based products, a gap persists between fundamental research and large-scale industrialization. This is due to the lack of comprehensive engineering research on bio-based chemicals, making the commercialization process a distant goal. These findings provide valuable insights for further development of this field.

Modular Synthesis of Fluoro-Substituted Furan Compounds via Controllable Fluorination of Biomass-Based 5-HMF and Its Derivatives

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is regarded as one of the most promising platform feedstocks for producing valuable chemicals, fuels, and materials. In this study, we present a controllable fluorination technique for biomass-based 5-HMF and its oxygenated derivatives. This technique allows us to synthesize mono-fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, and acylfluoro-substituted furan compounds by adjusting experimental conditions such as different fluorine sources and mole ratio. To gain a deeper understanding the reactivity order, we conducted intermolecular and intramolecular competition experiments. The results revealed that the hydroxyl group exhibited the highest reactivity, followed by the aldehyde group. This finding provides important theoretical support and opens up the possibility of selective fluorination. The reaction offers several advantages, including mild conditions, no need for inert gas protection, and easy operation. Furthermore, the fluoro-substituted furan compounds can be further transformed for the preparation of drug analogs, offering a new route for the high-value utilization of biomass molecules.

Efficient conversion of carbohydrates into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents

In this study, the conversion of monosaccharides to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) using different deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was investigated in various conditions. Among all the investigated DESs, [ChCl][trichloroacetic acid], based on choline chloride and trichloroacetic acid with the ratio 1:1, showed the highest catalytic activity. A maximum 5-HMF yield was 82 % for 1 h at 100 °C using [ChCl][trichloroacetic acid] as a catalyst from fructose. [ChCl][trichloroacetic acid] could be recovered and reused three times with a slight loss in activity. Our work demonstrated the low-cost and effective method for the synthesis of 5-HMF from carbohydrates.

Highly effective synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from lignocellulosic biomass over a green and one-pot reaction in biphasic system

In this study, different types of lignocellulosic biomas were used as substrates for the conversion to 5-HMF via biphasic reaction system that is composed of a reaction phase (aqueous phase) and an extraction phase (organic phase) under the catalysis of various metal salts. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs), ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl, aqueous choline chloride, aqueous betaine hydrochloride, and ethylamine hydrochloride were used as the reaction phase in the combination of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as organic solvents. The highest yields of 5-HMF obtained from pineapple stems in reactions with DES were 40.98%, 37.26%, and 23.44% for ChCl:Lac, ChCl:OA, and EaCl:Lac, respectively. Moreover, the combination of dimethyl sulfoxide, betaine hydrochloride aqueous solution, and AlCl3·6H2O with the pineapple stem conversion system resulted in a maximum yield of 61.04% ± 0.55% of 5-HMF. This study also demonstrated that AlCl3·6H2O and betaine hydrochloride could be effectively reused four times, which indicates a green and effective process.

Synthesis of biofuel precursors from benzaldehyde and cyclopentanone via aldehyde-ketone condensation in a deep eutectic solvent system

Production of biofuel precursors from biomass-derived platform compounds (BDPC) has a profound influence on biofuel industries. Herein, an efficient catalytic system composed of the deep eutectic solvent (DES, i.e., ChCl/Fa) and SnCl4 (ChCl/Fa-SnCl4) was developed to produce biofuel precursors (C12 and C19) through aldehyde-ketone (A-K) condensation of benzaldehyde (BD) and cyclopentanone (CPO). ChCl/Fa-SnCl4 exhibited the prospective catalytic performance and given the high selectivity (SC12 = 49.20%, SC19 = 15.20%) and total yield (YC12+C19 = 64.37%) of C12 and C19, as well as 99.96% BD conversion under the optimized conditions (BD : CPO molar ratio of 1 : 6, ChCl : Fa molar ratio of 1 : 12, 4 mmol SnCl4, 80 °C for 120 min). Subsequently, the C12 and C19 precursors were successfully applied to generate cyclic alkanes (C12H14 and C19H18) by hydrodeoxygenation with selectivity of 37.61% and 24.10%, respectively. Finally, the potential catalytic mechanism was explored by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results unveiled that the formation of a stable structure for the ChCl/Fa-SnCl4 system was ascribed to the viable interactions among ChCl, Fa and SnCl4 by coordination bonds, electrostatic interactions and H-bonds, which decreased reaction energy barriers and drove the condensation of BD and CPO. In this case, the catalytic reactions between BD and CPO were enhanced to promote the synthesis of C12 and C19. This work provides a novel strategy for the applicability of different BDPC to synthesize fuel precursors for the development of liquid biofuels.

Valorization of Glucose-Derived Humin as a Low-Cost, Green, Reusable Adsorbent for Dye Removal, and Modeling the Process

Glucose can be isomerized into fructose and dehydrated into key platform biochemicals, following the "bio-refinery concept". However, this process generates black and intractable substances called humin, which possess a polymeric furanic-type structure. In this study, glucose-derived humin (GDH) was obtained by reacting D-glucose with an allylamine catalyst in a deep eutectic solvent medium, followed by a carbonization step. GDH was used as a low-cost, green, and reusable adsorbent for removing cationic methylene blue (MB) dye from water. The morphology of carbonized GDH differs from pristine GDH. The removal efficiencies of MB dye using pristine GDH and carbonized GDH were 52% and 97%, respectively. Temperature measurements indicated an exothermic process following pseudo-first-order kinetics, with adsorption behavior described by the Langmuir isotherm. The optimum parameters were predicted using the response surface methodology and found to be a reaction time of 600 min, an initial dye concentration of 50 ppm, and a GDH weight of 0.11 g with 98.7% desirability. The MB dye removal rate optimized through this model was 96.85%, which was in good agreement with the experimentally obtained value (92.49%). After 10 cycles, the MB removal rate remained above 80%, showcasing the potential for GDH reuse and cost-effective wastewater treatment.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural synthesis from fructose over deep eutectic solvents in batch reactors and continuous flow microreactors

Abstract

In this work, a deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of choline chloride (ChCl) and ethylene glycol (EG) was prepared and applied for the conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), catalyzed by HCl in both laboratory batch reactors and continuous flow microreactors. The effects of reaction temperature, batch time, catalyst loading and molar ratio of ChCl to EG on the fructose conversion and HMF yield were first investigated in the monophasic batch system of ChCl/EG DES. To inhibit HMF-involved side reactions (e.g., its polymerization to humins), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) was used as the extraction agent to form a biphasic system with DES in batch reactors. As a result, the maximum HMF yield could be enhanced at an MIBK to DES volume ratio of 3:1, e.g., increased from 48% in the monophasic DES (with a molar ratio ChCl to EG at 1:3) to 63% in the biphasic system at 80°C and 5 mol% of HCl loading. Based on the optimized results in batch reactors, biphasic experiments were conducted in capillary microreactors under slug flow operation, where a maximum HMF yield of ca. 61% could be obtained in 13 min, which is similar to that in batch under otherwise the same conditions. The slight mass transfer limitation in microreactors was confirmed by performing experiments with microreactors of varying length, and comparing the characteristic mass transfer time and reaction time, indicating further room for improvement.

Highlights

• The efficient fructose conversion to HMF in deep eutectic solvents was achieved in batch reactors and microreactors.

• An HMF yield over 60% could be obtained at a fructose conversion above 90% in both reactors at 80°C within 14 min.

• The HMF yield was enhanced from 48% in the monophasic ChCl/EG system to 63% in the DES-MBIK biphasic system in batch.

• A slight mass transfer limitation was found in the biphasic slug flow microreactor.

Graphical Abstract

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs) Combined with Sustainable Extraction Techniques: A Review of the Green Chemistry Approach in Food Analysis

Usual extraction processes for analyzing foods, supplements, and nutraceutical products involve massive amounts of organic solvents contributing to a negative impact on the environment and human health. In recent years, a new class of green solvents called natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) have been considered a valid alternative to conventional solvents. Compared with conventional organic solvents, NADES have attracted considerable attention since they are sustainable, biodegradable, and non-toxic but also are easy to prepare, and have low production costs. Here we summarize the major aspects of NADEs such as the classification, preparation method physicochemical properties, and toxicity. Moreover, we provide an overview of novel extraction techniques using NADES as potential extractants of bioactive compounds from foods and food by-products, and application of NADEs in food analysis. This review aims to be useful for the further development of NAES and for broadening the knowledge of these new green solvents in order to increase their use for the extraction of bioactive compounds and in food analysis.

Advances of Ionic Liquids and Deep Eutectic Solvents in Green Processes of Biomass-Derived 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is identified as an important bio-based platform chemical to bridge petroleum-based and biomass-based resources. It can be obtained through dehydration of various carbohydrates as well as converted to value-added fuels and chemicals. As designer solvents, ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have been widely used in catalytic transformation of biomass derivatives to various chemicals. This Review summarizes recent progress in experimental and theoretical studies on dehydration of carbohydrates such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, cellobiose, chitosan, cellulose, inulin, and even raw biomass to generate HMF using ILs and DESs as catalysts/cocatalysts and/or solvents/cosolvents. It also gives an overview of IL and DES-involved catalytic transformation of HMF to downstream products via oxidation, reduction, esterification, decarboxylation, and so forth. Challenges and prospects of ILs and DESs are also proposed for further production of HMF and HMF derivatives from biomass in green and sustainable processes.

Improved Production of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvents Using Microwave-Assisted Reactions

Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is a key platform chemical, essential for the production of other chemicals, as well as fuels. Despite its importance, the production methods applied so far still lack in sustainability. In this work, acidic deep eutectic solvents (DES), acting both as solvent and catalyst, were studied for the conversion of fructose into 5-HMF using microwave-assisted reactions. These solvents were screened and optimized by varying the hydrogen bond donor (HBD) and hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA). The bio-based solvent γ-valerolactone (GVL) was also applied as additive, leading to a boost in 5-HMF yield. Then, a response surface methodology was applied to further optimize operating conditions, such as reaction time, temperature and wt.% of added GVL. The highest 5-HMF yield attained, after optimization, was 82.4% at 130 °C, in 4 min of reaction time and with the addition of 10 wt.% of GVL. Moreover, a process for 5-HMF recovery and DES reuse was developed through the use of the bio-based solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-Me-THF), allowing at least three cycles of 5-HMF production with minimal yield losses, while maintaining the purity of the isolated 5-HMF and the efficacy of the reaction media.