Catalytic transformation of carbohydrates into 5-hydroxymethyl furfural over tin phosphate in a water-containing system

• Fructose to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is examined.
• The in situ generated tin phosphate is the most active.
• A 71% yield of HMF is obtained at 135 °C for 1 h in water-DMSO solvent.
• The transformation of glucose and sucrose to HMF is also examined.

The dehydration of carbohydrates to produce 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in the presence of tin salt and hydrogen phosphate is examined. The precipitate freshly formed from SnCl4and (NH4)2HPO4 shows a good performance in a water-dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) mixed solvent. The highest HMF yield achieves 71% at 135 °C for 1 h. The tin valence number, the type of phosphate and the molar ratio of Sn/PO4 affect the yield of HMF. In addition, the reaction time, temperature and water to DMSO ratio also influence the yield. Glucose and sucrose as the reactant are compared, and the reaction pathways are discussed.

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