University of California, USA, has recently developed a new method to directly convert cellulose into furan-based biofuels.
The process is simple and the cellulose is directly converted into furans and then 5-chloromethylfurfural (CMF) is obtained. Reaction of CMF with ethanol gives ethoxymethylfurfural, while CMF reacts with hydrogen to give 5-methylfurfural. Both of these compounds are suitable for use as fuel. According to reports, this is the only method that has been developed so far to convert high-efficiency cellulose into simple hydrophobic organic compounds. It also shows that furans can be used as alternative energy sources and chemical raw materials in the future.
The process is simple and the cellulose is directly converted into furans and then 5-chloromethylfurfural (CMF) is obtained. Reaction of CMF with ethanol gives ethoxymethylfurfural, while CMF reacts with hydrogen to give 5-methylfurfural. Both of these compounds are suitable for use as fuel. According to reports, this is the only method that has been developed so far to convert high-efficiency cellulose into simple hydrophobic organic compounds. It also shows that furans can be used as alternative energy sources and chemical raw materials in the future.