The preparation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfuraldehyde from high fructose corn syrup and other carbohydrates

Abstract
5‐Hydroxymethylfurfuraldehyde (HMF) was prepared from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), or crystalline D‐fructose, in high yield and purity. A 95–97% conversion of fructose to HMF was achieved using 25 mol% (based on fructose) boron trifluoride etherate catalyst in dimethyl sulphoxide, under a nitrogen atmosphere, a reaction temperature of 273 K and 30 min reaction time. Inferior yields of HMF were obtained from glucose and starch.