Evaluation of carbohydrates and lignocellulosic biomass from different wood species as raw material for the synthesis of 5-bromomethyfurfural

• Wood biomass and carbohydrates are successfully converted to 5-bromomethylfurfural.
• Carbohydrates and wood of different species have been evaluated as a raw material.
• Lithium additive can be eliminated from conversion process.
• 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural is converted to halomethylfurfurals with high yields.
• 5-Ethoxymethylfurfural, a biodiesel candidate, is obtained with high purity.

The influence of different parameters on the conversion of carbohydrates and biomass into the potential biofuel intermediate 5-bromomethylfurfural (BMF) has been studied. Our optimized conditions avoid the use of lithium salt additives, making this method cheaper and environmentally more benign compared to previously reported methods. Different wood species and their potential as a raw material in BMF and furfural production have also been evaluated. In addition, we report a very simple and efficient procedure for conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into BMF or 5-chloromethylfurfural (CMF).

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