A review of recent advances in the production of furfural in batch system

The production of biobased furfural has been known for a long time. Nevertheless, two recent concepts, namely bioeconomy and circular economy, have motivated the research line towards improving production schemes and diversifying potential applications. Accordingly, this review will put the spot on the recent advances of furfural production from organic feedstock rich in free sugars and/or structural or reserve polysaccharides. The review will highlight the recent progress in the furfural production in batch system following different pathways, including (i) non-catalytic routes, (ii) use of various homogeneous catalysts like mineral or organic acids, metal salts or ionic liquids, (iii) feedstock dehydration using diverse solid acid catalysts; (iv) feedstock dehydration over supported catalysts, and (v) other heterogeneous catalytic routes.