Catalytic Conversion of Sugarcane Bagasse into 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural
Omer Adam Omer Ishag *
Department of Applied and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, International University of Africa, P.O. Box 2469 Khartoum, Sudan.
Adam Mousa Mohammed
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan.
Mahmoud Mohamed Ali
Department of Applied and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, International University of Africa, P.O. Box 2469 Khartoum, Sudan.
Awadalla B. Omer
Department of Applied and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, International University of Africa, P.O. Box 2469 Khartoum, Sudan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Furan derivatives especially 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural has recently been regarded as one important precursor for the production of biofuels and biobased compounds.
Aims: The aim of this study was to convert sugarcane bagasse into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using Tetrabutylammonium bromide, Tetramethylammonium chloride and metal chlorides (chromium chloride, copper chloride, ferric chloride and cobalt chloride) in dimethylsulphoxide; using different reaction time and temperatures.
Study Design: The design of this study includes preparation of two different systems of catalyst to convert sugarcane bagasse into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.
Place and Duration of Study: This study conducted at Department of Applied and Industrial Chemistry, International University of Africa- Sudan, between 2017 and 2019.
Methodology: Two different catalytic systems were prepared to convert sugarcane bagasse into 5-hydroxymethylfurfaural, the first system Tetrabutylammonium bromide and metal chlorides (Chromium chloride, copper chloride, ferric chloride and cobalt chloride) in dimethyl sulphoxide; the second system tetrametheylammonium chloride and same metal chlorides in dimethylsulphoxide. The conversion of sugarcane bagasse was conducted at temperatures 100, 130 and 150°C; in addition to reaction times 60, 90 and 120 min.
Results: The obtained results indicated that the yield of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural was high 53.41% at 150°C and 120 min reaction time when chrome chloride was used in Tetrabutylammonium bromide and dimethylsulphoxide as co-solvent; although the highest yield 89.23%, was noted also at same condition, when chromium chloride was used in Tetramethylammonium chloride and dimethylsulphoxide as co-solvent.
Conclusion: Based on these results chromium chloride was considered the best catalyst for yielding 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from sugarcane bagasse in both Tertabutylammonium bromide and Tetramethylammonium chloride; but is best in Tetramethylammonium chloride.
Keywords: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, bagasse, biomass, dimethylsulphoxide, cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, sugarcane.