Direct conversion from Jerusalem artichoke to hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) using the Fenton reaction

• Fenton reaction is an effective method to produce hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).
• Jerusalem artichoke is a good resource for HMF production.
• High temperature (>180 °C) should be required for effective HMF production.
• Efficiency of Fenton reaction was enhanced at high temperature.

A simple method for hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) production from non-crop biomass of the Jerusalem artichoke was developed using the Fenton reaction, in a mixture of 2-butanol and water. Four parameters (temperature, reaction time, Fe2+ concentration, and H2O2 concentration) were identified as experimental factors, and HMF yield was selected as the response parameter. The experimental factors were optimised by employing Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The maximum HMF yield, of 46%, was obtained with a reaction time of 90 min, Fe2+ concentration of 1.3 mM, and 0.47 M of H2O2 at 180 °C.