Direct conversion of fructose-based carbohydrates to 5-ethoxymethylfurfural catalyzed by AlCl3 center dot 6H(2)O/BF3 center dot(Et)(2)O in ethanol

Direct conversion of fructose-based carbohydrates to 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) catalyzed by Lewis acid in ethanol was investigated. It was found that BF3 center dot(Et)(2)O was favorable for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) etherification to EMF. BF3 center dot(Et)(2)O combination with AlCl3 center dot 6H(2)O with the molar ratio of 1 was an effective catalyst system for synthesis of EMF from fructose-based carbohydrates. 55.0%, 45.4% and 23.9% of EMF yields were obtained from fructose, inulin and sucrose under optimized conditions, respectively.