HYDROTHERMAL FORMATION OF 1,2,4-BENZENETRIOL FROM 5-HYDROXYMETHYL-2-FURALDEHYDE AND D-FRUCTOSE

Thermolysis of 0.05 M aqueous 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (HMF) at 2 7.5 MPa and 290 to 400-degrees-C led to the formation of 1,2,4-benzene triol in yields of up to 46% at 50% HMF conversion. The reaction tempe rature and water density have a significant effect on the product comp osition. Pseudo-first-order reaction rate constants for HMF conversion under these conditions range from 0.107 to 0.308 min-1. For the regio n 290 to 350-degrees-C, the activation energy for HMF conversion was f ound to be 47.7 kJ.mol-1. When subjecting D-fructose to hydrothermolys is, the main products are HMF, 1,2,4-benzenetriol, and furfural.