Process development for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) synthesis from carbohydrates

A single-pot process for the preparation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, the single-pot process comprising:

• reacting carbohydrates with oxalic acid and inorganic acids in the presence of a biphasic solvent and a carbon material at a temperature from 110° C. to 160° C. for a time period of from 6 hours to 12 hours under vigorous stirring to form a reaction mixture;
• and
• drying the reaction mixture over Na2SO4;
• and
• evaporating solvent from the reaction mixture under reduced pressure to yield the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.