Renewable synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and 2,5-dimethylfuran using carbonaceous solid acid catalysts and copper chromite

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) were synthesized from Acacia mangium wood sawdust derived glucose through a multistage process. Initially, the Acacia mangium wood sawdust underwent a sulfate cooking process to extract cellulose, which was subsequently subjected to an enzymatic saccharification to produce a glucose solution. The conversion of glucose into 5-HMF was achieved via catalyzed depolymerization utilizing carbonaceous solid acid sulfonated catalysts prepared from various sources including Acacia mangium wood sawdust, coconut shell, sugarcane bagasse, and lignin derived from Acacia mangium wood sawdust. Subsequently, 2,5-DMF was synthesized from the obtained 5-HMF through hydrogenation at 180 °C for 10 h using copper chromite as a catalyst. The conversion of glucose into 5-HMF using the four types of solid acid catalysts was extensively investigated at 120 °C, with the maximum yield of 5-HMF reaching up to 13–28 wt% of glucose after 3–4 h of reaction time. In the case of 2,5-DMF synthesis, the yield was found to be 45–50 wt% of the 5-HMF produced. The integrated scheme for preparing solid acid catalysts and their application in the synthesis of furans from Acacia mangium wood offers an efficient method for converting lignocellulosic biomass into environmentally friendly catalysts and chemicals.