Transformation of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural with Al and Sn mixed-metal metal–organic frameworks as catalyst

5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) has been considered as an important biomass-based platform chemical for its wide applications. Currently, the production of 5-HMF from the catalytic dehydration of glucose is preferred, in which the Brønsted and Lewis acids in catalysts play an important role. Here, it was found that MIL-53(Al) modified with tin was an active, selective, and reusable catalyst for the transformation of glucose to 5-HMF in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent. Around 42.3% yield of 5-HMF with 93% glucose conversion was achieved, when the prepared metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) was used as the catalyst, showing superior catalytic performance compared with most of other MOFs. Moreover, the catalyst possessed inert catalytic properties in water with almost no any influence on the conversion of glucose, suggesting a compelling opportunity to act as a support material.