A renewable HSO3/H2PO3-grafted polyethylene fiber catalyst: an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from fructose in water?

RSC Advances Pub Date: 2013-09-04 DOI: 10.1039/C3RA43275K

Abstract

Irradiation-induced co-grafting of acrylonitrile and vinylsulfonic acid (or vinylphosphonic acid) monomers on polyethylene fiber was studied for the heterogeneous catalysis of fructose dehydration into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) solely in water. The acidic co-polymer exhibited excellent catalytic activity and maintained a high yield after being regenerated. We attribute these catalytic properties to a branched environment created by grafted chains, hydrophilic enough to interact with fructose in water but collectively dense enough to form a unique local phase mimicking organic solvents.

Graphical abstract: A renewable HSO3/H2PO3-grafted polyethylene fiber catalyst: an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from fructose in water
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