Sulphanilic acid as a recyclable bifunctional organocatalyst in the selective conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to 5-HMF

Abstract

We herein report an unprecedented integrated process using organic salts as bifunctional organocatalysts under absolutely metal-free conditions for the conversion of a wide range of biomass-derived carbohydrates, cellulose, and even untreated lignocellulose (e.g. straw and barley husk) into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) in a well-known water/MIBK biphasic solvent system.