Conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to chemicals: A review of catalytic routes and product applications

Biomass is the sole renewable organic carbon resource in nature. Conversion of Biomass can produce a series of platform molecules. As an essential multi-purpose bioderived furanic platform compound, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) can be effectively transformed into a variety of value-added derivatives due to its rich chemistry and potential availability, which is an ideal renewable alternative to fossil fuels. This review highlights recent advances in the development of efficient catalytic systems for the conversion of HMF, especially heterogeneous catalysts. Heterogeneous catalysts have advantages in facile separation and recovery, tunable performance by adjusting catalyst structures. Simultaneously, we mainly focus on the application of downstream products in material monomers, pharmaceutical intermediates, and fuels. Furthermore, a few potential research trends are also proposed, in order to provide some useful ideas for the further exploration of the utilization and conversion of HMF in a much simple, efficient, and economical way.