| dc.description.abstract | Inulin, a plant polysaccharide consisting of mainly D-fructose units, is considered
an interesting feed for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a top 12 bio-based chemical. We
here report an exploratory experimental study on the use of a wide range of homogeneous
metal salts as catalysts for the conversion of inulin to HMF in water. Best results were
obtained using CuCl
2
. Activity-pH relations indicate that the catalyst activity of CuCl
2
is
likely related to Lewis acidity and not to Brönsted acidity. The effects of process conditions
on HMF yield for CuCl
2
were systematically investigated and quantified using a central
composite design (160–180 °C, an inulin loading between 0.05 and 0.15 g/mL, CuCl
2
concentration in range of 0.005–0.015 M, and a reaction time between 10 and 120 min). The
highest experimental HMF yield in the process window was 30.3 wt. % (39 mol %, 180 °C,
0.05 g/mL inulin, 0.005 M CuCl
2
and a reaction time of 10 min). The HMF yields were
modelled using non-linear, multi variable regression and good agreement between
experimental data and model were obtained. | en_US |
