Kinetic and characteristic investigations on the conversion of cellulose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in the mixed metal salt system

Cellulose, one of the most abundant renewable biomass resources, can be converted into valuable chemicals like 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). This study explores an efficient strategy using mixed metal salts for the conversion of cellulose to HMF. The catalytic performance of both single and mixed metal salts was examined, showing CrCl 3 –SnCl 4 to be highly effective, achieving a maximum HMF yield of 54.8% under optimal conditions (CrCl 3 :SnCl 4 = 2:3, 180 °C). Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analyses revealed that the mixed solution generates multiple catalytic active species, which enhance the conversion of substrates to HMF. The developed kinetic model indicates that the conversion process is highly temperature-sensitive, and the production of HMF from glucose is more favored compared to the hydrolysis of cellulose. The findings from this study provide a deeper understanding of the catalytic process, offering a promising approach for efficient biomass conversion, which is crucial for advancing sustainable chemical production technologies.