Direct catalytic conversion of bagasse fibers to furan building blocks in organic and ionic solvents

The applications of lignocellulosic wastes to produce a wide variety of products, including biochemicals, biomaterials, and biofuels, can be an effective solution for utilizing these valuable waste materials. In this study, the production of furan building blocks from bagasse fibers was investigated by treating unbleached fibers with NMMO, [Bmim]Cl, and TMAH at different temperatures using AlCl 3 and CrCl 2 as the catalysts. The resulted liquors were extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 to obtain furan rich fraction. Analysis of extracted fractions with GC/MS indicates the production of various furanic compounds due to catalytic solvolysis with different solvents at elevated temperatures. 2(3H)-Furanone and 2-methyl-THF were the main products of catalytic treatment of bagasse fibers with NMMO. Treatment by [Bmim]Cl resulted in 2,5-dihydro furanone as the dominant product at elevated temperatures. Furan carboxylic acid methyl ester and 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester were the main TMAH reaction products with unbleached fibers. The results indicate that the type of solvent affects the solvolysis rate and dehydration of cellulose to furanic compounds. Moreover, increasing the temperature led to an increase in the formation of the furanic compounds. Graphical abstract