A simple and efficient synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from carbohydrates using acidic ionic liquid grafted on silica gel

The catalytic application of 3-(4-sulfobutyl)-1 H -imidazole-3-ium chloride immobilized on activated silica gel (SiO 2 -Imi-SO 3 H) for the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural is described here for the first time.