Catalytic conversion of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural by using Cr-modified Kunipia-F clay

Catalytic conversion of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was investigated in detail using chromium-exchanged Kunipia-F clay (K550-Cr - calcined at 550ºC) using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent. The as-synthesized catalyst was characterized using XRD, ICE-AES, BET, SEM, FTIR and EDX. The clay catalysts were initially screened for fructose conversion and HMF yield and then K550-Cr, which showed the superior activity amongst the catalysts understudy, was chosen for further experiments. Various reaction parameters like reaction temperature and time, catalyst dosage, initial substrate concentration and catalyst reusability were studied in detail. The maximum HMF yield obtained was about 89 % at milder reaction conditions (130 ºC for 3h). The most interesting result was that the catalyst could be recovered easily without any loss and reused 4 times without loss in activity (HMF yield after 5th cycle was 88%).