Effect of Acid Types, Acid Concentration and Time on 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) Production.

Abstract: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a vital renewable organic compound found useful as a platform chemical in bio-refining, polymer precursors and other chemical intermediates. HMF is produced via acid-catalyzed dehydration of diverse carbohydrates. The study aimed to investigate the effect of different acid types: sulphuric (H₂SO₄), hydrochloric (HCl) and nitric (HNO₃), at acid concentrations (0.25-0.75 moldm^-3) and time (15-60 minutes) on HMF production. UV-Visible spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) were the two analytical techniques employed to evaluate HMF production in all conditions of analysis. It was observed that the catalytic action of the acids towards HMF formation is in the following decreasing trend HCl > HNO₃ > H₂SO₄. The highest HMF produced (0.255 mg/l) was achieved at 0.75 moldm^-3 HCl at 60 minutes hydrolysis time. Increasing acid concentration and time was found to increase HMF production with HCl. However, the yield decreased after 45 minutes hydrolysis time for HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ hydrolyzed samples. Therefore, the knowledge obtained from this work will help in designing HMF production process for optimum industrial production.

5-Hydroxymethyfurfural, acid type, acid concentrations, UV-Visible spectrophotometer, HPLC

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