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Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Biomass using the OrganoCat Process
Published on: June 5, 2021
One-step degradation of cellulose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in ionic liquid under mild conditions
Lilong Zhou1, Yiming He2, Zhanwei Ma1
1Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China.
Abstract:
One-step conversion of cellulose to HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) has been achieved by using metal chlorides (CrCl3, CuCl2, SnCl4, WCl6) in [BMIM]Cl. The effects of temperature, reaction time, amount of catalysts, and the purity of [BMIM]Cl on the performance have been studied and discussed in detail. More than 63% yield of HMF and 80% yield of TRS (total reducing sugar) were obtained in [BMIM]Cl with CrCl3 at 120 °C under atmospheric pressure. Filter paper and cotton were also used as a source for cellulose degradation to HMF, but only a moderate yield of HMF was obtained (40% for filter paper and 12% for cotton). The reutilization of this system was examined and the reaction mechanism was also discussed.
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