Direct conversion of biomass derived L-rhamnose to 5-methylfurfural in water in high yield

We report here that L-rhamnose, a less popular renewable and commercially available carbohydrate, can be used as a potential raw material to generate 5-methylfurfural (MF). In particular, nearly 100% yield of MF was achieved over 7 consecutive cycles in NaCl solution containing AlCl3 within 30 min, thus providing an alternative and industrializable way for the production of the potential bio-platform compound MF.