A novel approach to enhance the activity of H-form zeolite catalyst for production of hydroxymethylfurfural from cellulose

Promoted H-form zeolite was demonstrated as efficient catalyst for direct conversion of cellulose into hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in ionic liquid. Incorporation of alkali metal chlorides with zeolite was a novel approach to enhance the catalytic activity for the H-form zeolite. The reaction conditions were optimized for the highest HMF production by changing the alkali metal chloride/H-form zeolite catalytic system. Zeolite/LiCl system was the most effective catalyst used for production of HMF and other furan compounds. A proposed mechanism explaining the role of metal chlorides in increasing the acidity of system and accelerating the hydrolysis step of cellulose was explained. © 2013 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry.