The formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from hexoses

Abstract

In the acid catalysed conversion of hexoses to furans, the yield of 2- furyl hydroxymethyl ketone (FHK) relative to that of 5- hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is the same when either glucose or fructose is used as the starting material. The significance of this result is discussed in relation to the various reaction mechanisms proposed for the formation of these products.