The Formation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural from Hexoses

Abstract

Gas chromatography has been used to demonstrate the existence of the equilibrium; fructose, during the conversion of fructose, free from glucose, into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural under conditions of acid catalysis. The relationship of this equilibrium to subsequent stages in the conversion is discussed. The conversion of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural under conditions described by Bourne, in the presence of iodine, has been shown to be due to acid catalysis.