Fructose Dehydration to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural over Sulfated TiO2–SiO2, Ti-SBA-15, ZrO2, SiO2, and Activated Carbon Catalysts

Different sulfated catalysts including SO4/TiO2-SiO2, SO4/Ti-SBA-15, SO4/ZrO2, SO4/AC, and SO4/SiO2 were tested in fructose dehydration to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Reactions were carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 110 degrees C. Characterization results indicated that no sulfur leaching was observed from,SO4/ZrO2, SO4/TiO2-SiO2, and SO4/Ti-SBA-15 catalysts in the reaction tests. The SO4/TiO2-SiO2 catalyst had a high amount of strong acid site's and the highest amount of Bronsted sites. The highest selectivity to HMF at high conversion, that is, 89% selectivity at 77% fructose conversion Was obtained Over this catalyst. It preserved its activity after four times reuse.