Elsevier, Biomass and Bioenergy, 5(35), p. 2013-2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.01.055
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Under microwave irradiation, concentrated fructose (33–92 wt%) in ionic liquids afforded 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in ca. 97–57% yields without addition of catalysts, within 3 min. In-situ13C NMR and 1H NMR spectra suggest that the transformation of fructose in ionic liquid is a highly selective reaction that proceeds predominantly via the cyclic fructofuransyl intermediate. This method is expected to be valuable in facilitating cost-effective conversion of carbohydrates into biofuels and platform chemicals.