A sweet flow: HMF production and in situ valorization into valuable nitrile-containing compound via telescopic flow chemistry

Abstract

A biorefinery strategy is reported, applying telescopic flow chemistry for the efficient conversion of sugar-derived biomass, specifically D-fructose, into valuable nitrile-containing compounds. The approach relies on the use of Task-Specific Solid Ionic Liquid Phases (TS-SILPs), designed at the molecular level to integrate the stabilizing properties of ionic liquids and dimethyl sulfoxide within a solid-phase solvent system. These materials facilitate the stabilization of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and its key intermediates, thereby enhancing both its synthesis and downstream transformations. The solid-state nature of the TS-SILPs enables the development of a liquid–solid–liquid continuous flow configuration, which simplifies separation, allows for its continuous separation and reuse, and enables the synthesis and telescopic transformation of HMF into different derivative products. This methodology streamlines unit operations and aligns with principles of green chemistry, demonstrating the potential of designing multifunctional supported solvents as media to advance sustainable biomass valorization through integrated continuous processing.