Preparation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural via fructose acetonides in ethylene glycol dimethyl ether

A new procedure for the preparation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has been studied, in which 1,2:4,5-di-o-isopropylidene-ß-dtopyranose is dissolved in ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (EGDE) containing an appropriate amount of water and sulfuric acid as a catalyst. HMF yields were greater than 70 mol%. Data were obtained for several combinations of temperature and concentrations of acid and water at a reactant concentration of 0.5 M. Temperature and acid concentration influenced the catalytic activity, but had little effect on the yield of HMF. EGDE is a cheap and easily regenerable solvent which, in the acidic medium, does not generate by-products whilst HMF remains stable in it up to a temperature of 453 K. The reaction can be carried out in a continuous tubular reactor without the problem of plugging by insoluble solid humins

Multiphase reactions using solid foams

The present invention relates to a gas-liquid-solid (GLS) process comprising contacting reactants on a solid foam material, wherein the solid foam material has a surface to volume ratio of at least 250 m2/m3. This foam material may include a catalyst composition or a catalyst material may be supported on the foam material. The foam material proyides improved mass transfer and favourable hydrodynamic parameters when compared to conventional packings so that an enhanced contact between reactants and an improved reactor performance is achieved

Multiphase reactions using solid foams

The present invention relates to a gas-liquid-solid (GLS) process comprising contacting reactants on a solid foam material, wherein the solid foam material has a surface to volume ratio of at least 250 m2/m3. This foam material may include a catalyst composition or a catalyst material may be supported on the foam material. The foam material proyides improved mass transfer and favourable hydrodynamic parameters when compared to conventional packings so that an enhanced contact between reactants and an improved reactor performance is achieved