Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Optimization of the Ugi Reaction Using Parallel Synthesis and Automated Liquid Handling
Published on: November 11, 2008
Harnessing the Potential of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural: Investigating Solubility and Stability in Tailored Deep Eutectic
Grazia Isa C Righetti1, Maria Enrica Di Pietro1, Gabriella Leonardi1
1Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy.
Abstract:
The potential of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) as a platform chemical for sustainable biobased products is widely recognized. However, its practical applications are often constrained by stability challenges. This study examines the solubility and chemical stability of HMF in 15 paradigmatic deep eutectic solvents (DES), formed by combining five hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs: betaine, choline chloride, choline acetate, L-carnitine, and l-proline) and three hydrogen bond donors (HBDs: glycerol, ethylene glycol, and levulinic acid). Our findings reveal that HMF demonstrates high solubility and remarkable stability across the studied DES. Only a few cases of HMF degradation were observed and discussed, with specific degradation pathways identified in certain solvent mixtures. Notably, the HBAs within the DES play a crucial role in significantly enhancing the stability of HMF, establishing a foundation for its use as a renewable synthon in organic chemistry using environmentally benign solvents. These findings represent a significant step forward in aligning the synthetic design with the principles of green chemistry.
Related Concept Videos
03:07Solubility Equilibria
The...
04:01Factors Affecting Solubility
03:00Solubility
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules,...
02:05Entropy and Solvation
02:17Physical Properties of Ethers
An ether molecule has a net dipole moment due to the polarity of C–O bonds. Subsequently, boiling points of ethers are lower than those of alcohols of comparable molecular weight and slightly higher than those of hydrocarbons of comparable molecular weight (Table 1).
Ethers can act as hydrogen bond acceptors, making them more water-soluble than hydrocarbons, but since ethers cannot act as hydrogen bond donors, they are much less soluble in water than alcohols. Ethers are considered...
02:12Solvating Effects