Efficient conversion of corn stover to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural using a novel acidic resin catalyst in water-1, 4-dioxane system

•A novel Cl-bearing resin-based solid acid catalyst was prepared by a simple hydrothermal process.•43.8% and 38.1% yields of 5-HMF and furfural were achieved from corn stover in one-pot reaction.•The good catalytic activity of Cl0.3-S-R was attributed to its suitable binding and catalytic domains.