Conversion of d-glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) using zeolite in [Bmim]Cl or tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC)/CrCl2

The formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from glucose was studied. It was found that the CrCl2-catalyzed conversion in the ionic liquid, butylmethylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) leads to negligible quantities of 3-deoxyglucosone confirming that fructose is the main intermediate. It was found that the environmentally unfriendly chromium salt could be replaced with zeolite (H-ZSM-5) leading to a 45% yield of HMF. It was also found that the solvent [Bmim]Cl could be replaced with non-toxic tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) giving a 56% yield of HMF.