5-Hydroxymethylfurfural

HMF is an organic compound derived from plant-based sugars (i.e. glucose & fructose). As a platform chemical, it can be processed into various biochemicals that are currently still derived from fossil fuels. HMF is highly water soluble and can be processed into a diesel-like liquid biofuel that is in some ways superior to ethanol.

Here is a study from the Institute of Chemistry at the University of Rostock, Germany: Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) Biomass-Derived Platform Chemicals: Thermodynamic Studies on the Conversion of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural into Bulk Intermediates

An a article in Technology Review (link here) reports on research about a new catalyst (chromium chloride) that can get the most HMF from glucose and works at temperatures of 80 °C for fructose and 100 °C for glucose.

External Links

• Appropedia page that this page was derived from
• Wikipedia: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural
• Article in Technology Review: Plastics from Sugar - New catalysts convert glucose into a valuable chemical feedstock.