The catalytic conversion of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over acid-functionalized KIT-6, an ordered mesoporous silica

• Well-ordered mesoporous silica (KIT-6) synthesized and characterized.
• Sulfonated mesoporous KIT-6 silica is active in dehydration of fructose to HMF at 165 °C.
• The catalytic reaction is selective to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (88.5%) in optimum condition.
• The catalyst can be recycled and reused at least during five cycles.

Well-ordered KIT-6 mesoporous silica was synthesized via a sol–gel process and functionalized with sulfonic acid groups. The catalyst was characterized using XRD, BET, TGA, SEM, TEM and pyridine FTIR spectroscopy techniques. The prepared catalyst was used to catalyze the conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in DMSO. Various reaction parameters such as effect of reaction temperature, reaction time, catalyst loading, and solvent on HMF yield were investigated. A fructose conversion of 100% and 84.1% yield of HMF was obtained at 165 °C after 30 min in DMSO. The reaction is quite selective toward HMF. The catalyst was used several times without significantly losing its catalytic effect.

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