Conversion of carbohydrates to hydroxymethylfurfural (hmf) and derivatives

A method for synthesizing HMF by contacting an HMF ester with an anionic solid phase catalyst.

A method for synthesizing citrate esters by contacting a solution having a citrate source and an alcohol with a solid phase catalyst by eluting the solution through a column packed with the solid phase catalyst to obtain an eluant.

A method for synthesizing a levulinic acid comprising the steps of:

• dissolving a carbohydrate source in a solution,
• passing the solution containing the carbohydrate through a column containing a solid phase catalyst, and
• eluting said levulinic acid from the column to obtain an eluant.

A method for synthesizing a levulinate ester comprising the steps of:

• dissolving a carbohydrate source in a solution containing acetic acid,
• passing the solution containing the carbohydrate through a column containing a solid phase catalyst,
• and eluting said levulinate ester from the column to obtain an eluant.

A method for synthesizing HMF by contacting a fructose source with an organic acid and solid phase catalyst in a column to produce HMF ester, and

• deacylating the HMF ester.

A method for synthesizing a levulinate ester comprising the steps of:

• dissolving a carbohydrate source in a solution containing an alcohol,
• passing the solution containing the carbohydrate through a column containing a solid phase catalyst,
• and eluting said levulinate ester from the column to obtain an eluant containing a reaction product.