Conversion of fructose, glucose and sucrose to 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural over mesoporous zirconium phosphate catalyst

• Mesoporous zirconium phosphate was used as a catalyst.
• Glucose, fructose and sucrose efficiently converted into HMF.
• High HMF yield up to 80% was achieved.
• Catalyst synthesized using hydrothermal method.
• Catalyst reusable after regeneration through heating.

5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF) is considered an important platform chemical among other intermediates derived from biomass. In this study, we have used mesoporous zirconium phosphate as a catalyst for the conversion of sugars into HMF. The catalyst was synthesized using a hydrothermal method and was characterized using powder XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy and FESEM. The as-prepared catalyst showed porous structure and a very high surface area. Mesoporous zirconium phosphate exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the formation of HMF, from fructose, glucose and sucrose. The effect of various factors such as reaction time, temperature and reaction systems on formation of HMF has been investigated.

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