Experimental and modelling studies on the uncatalysed thermal conversion of inulin to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and levulinic acid

摘要

Background 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), an important biobased platform chemical, is accessible by the acid catalysed conversion of biopolymers containing hexoses (cellulose, starch, inulin) and monomeric sugars derived thereof. We here report an experimental study on the uncatalysed, thermal conversion of inulin to HMF in aqueous solutions in a batch set-up.