Acidic Zeolite L as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Dehydration of Fructose to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in Ionic Liquid

Graphical Zeolite catalysis : Zeolite L is synthesized by the hydrothermal method, post-treated by NH 4 exchange to adjust its acidity, and characterized by various techniques. In the dehydration of fructose catalyzed by modified zeolite L in the ionic liquid [bmim]Br, 99.1 % yield of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is obtained. Zeolite L was synthesized by the hydrothermal method and post-treated by NH 4 exchange to adjust its acidity. The samples were systematic characterized by various techniques including XRD, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, N 2 adsorption–desorption, scanning electron microscopy, pyridine IR spectroscopy, and NH 3 temperature-programmed desorption. The results demonstrated that the NH 4 -exchange post-treatment increased the surface area, micropore volume, and acidity of zeolite L. The catalytic performance of the samples was tested in the dehydration of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, [bmim]Br). 99.1 % yield of HMF was obtained when the KL-80 °C-1 h sample (KL zeolite treated with 1 m NH 4 NO 3 solution at 80 °C for 1 h) was used. The high efficiency could be attributed to the appropriate acid properties of the catalyst. The zeolite catalyst could be reused four times without significant decrease in activity.