Selective transformation of carbohydrates into HMF promoted by carboxylic acids modified ZrMo mixed oxides

ZrMo mixed oxides modified by a series of low-cost monofunctional carboxylic acids including stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, and lauric acid were prepared and were characterized using TG analysis, XRD, FT-IR, NH 3 -TPD, and SEM techniques. These strong solid acids were evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts with porous property for the conversion of carbohydrates to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) by oil heating rather than using microwave heating, in the aim of facilitating the industrial feasibility of this catalytic process and discussing the relation between surface acidity and reactivity in carbohydrates to HMF conversion. Under the optimal reaction conditions, moderate yields of HMF could be achieved from fructose, glucose, sucrose, and cellulose, and the strong solid catalysts can be recycled for seven times with no significant loss of activity.