Direct Conversion for the Production of 5-HMF from Cellulose over Immobilized Acidic Ionic Liquid Catalyst with Metal Chloride

Various metal chlorides and acid catalysts in ionic liquid solvent were investigated to directly convert cellulose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). Metal chlorides containing Sn(II), Zn(II), Al(III), Fe(III), Cu(II), and Cr(III) were used and acidic ionic liquid immobilized on silica gel as an acid catalyst and commercial acid catalysts (sulfuric acid, chloric acid, Am- berlyst-15,DOWEX50x8) were used for comparison studies. The acid strength and amount of acid catalysts were probed with Hammett indicator. The selectivity and yield of 5-HMF were determined with reaction temperature, reaction time and catalyst ratio. A catalyst containing CrCl3-6H2O and SiO2-(ASBI)HSO4 showed the highest selectivity and it was found that this catalyst had higher activity than commercial solid acid catalysts such as Amberlyst-15 and DOWEX50x8. The selectivity of 5-HMF appeared to be mainly dependent on the acid strength and catalyst ratio, it was found that levulinic acid was produced from 5-HMF by rehydration.