Production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from glucose using aluminium doped MCM-41 silica as acid catalyst

- Mesoporous Al-MCM-41 silica is active in dehydration of glucose to HMF at 195 °C.
- The addition of NaCl allows reaching a HMF yield of 63% after 30 min.
- HMF is not rehydrated to produce levulinic acid.
- The catalyst can be reutilized at least during three cycles.