Acid-catalyzed dehydration of hexoses to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural:Reaction,separation and process coupling
5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF)is one of paramount platform chemicals for converting biomass into chemicals,fuels and polyester materials.The rational design of efficient catalysts,optimization of catalytic reaction processes,and development of the novel separation and reaction-separation coupling technologies can enhance the comprehensive efficiency in production of HMF,simplify the unit processes,and reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption.In this paper,the state-of-the-art towards catalytic reactions,separation technology and process coupling related during acid-catalyzed dehydration of hexoses to HMF were reviewed from the fundamentals in designing the bifunctional active sites for relay catalysis,integration of tandem reactions,regulation of surface hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity,selection of reaction medium,adsorbent materials,adsorption mechanism and structure-performance relationship,as well as process intensification.The knowledge and learning points gained from this review would be instructive for research communities working on catalysis and separation in biomass utilization.