Efficient tunable approach for 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural and 2,5-diformylfuran production from fructose in DMSO with bromide catalysis

Abstract

This work describes a simple method for the preparation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) by dehydrating fructose in DMSO, either with the use of an affordable catalyst or in a catalyst-free manner. This process can be accompanied, under harsh conditions, by the bromide-catalyzed Kornblum oxidation of the hydroxyl group by the solvent, resulting in the formation of 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF). The optimized techniques presented in this study can serve as a foundation for the production of valuable biobased furanic platform chemicals from renewable sources in any laboratory, stimulating the development of sustainable chemistry and research in related fields worldwide.