Microporous and mesoporous structure catalysts for the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF)

In recent years, researchers have gained attention in finding new strategies for alternative renewable energy resources in reducing the dependency on fossil fuel in providing energy to the world. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is one of the most promising chemicals as it is a multi-functional compound and an intermediate compound that is beneficial in numerous chemical and fuel applications. This study provides recent progress on developing high yield and selectivity of HMF using hydrothermal reaction, emphasizing the catalytic performance efficiency of the developing structured catalysts from a technical perspective. We highlighted a few critical factors and parameters in maximizing the synthesis of HMF by selectively optimizing the desired kinetic reactions, which are hydrolysis, isomerization, and dehydration of sugars, and limiting the undesired side reactions, including HMF rehydration and depolymerization. The use of different types of microporous and mesoporous catalysts provides different HMF conversion results, and by applying few parameters, including catalyst: substrate ratio, Lewis: Bronsted acid ratio, reaction temperature, and duration of reaction, can be tunable in achieving maximum HMF yield and selectivity.