Efficient synthesis of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural (CMF) from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) using continuous flow processing

Abstract

Using continuous flow processing the synthesis of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural (CMF) from both solid sugars and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was achieved. The use of HFCS allows for a convenient liquid sugar feedstock, which in turn through our improved three pump system, allows for production of CMF with no additional handling of stock solutions. Extensive reaction optimisation was also carried out with large increases in reaction efficiency achieved over existing batch processes.