Biomass is an attractive raw material for the production of fuel oil and chemical intermediates due to its abundant reserves, low price, easy biodegradability, and renewable use. Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is a valuable platform chemically derived from biomass that has gained significant research interest owing to its economic and environmental benefits. In this review, recent advances in biomass catalytic conversion systems for 5-HMF production were examined with a focus on the catalysts selection and feedstocks' impact on the 5-HMF selectivity and yield. Specifically, the potential of zeolite-based catalysts for efficient biomass catalysis was evaluated given their unique pore structure and tunable (Lewis and Brønsted) acidity. The benefits of hierarchical modifications and the interactions between porosity and acidity in zeolites, which are critical factors for the development of green catalytic systems to convert biomass to 5-HMF efficiently, were summarized and assessed. This Review suggests that zeolite-based catalysts hold significant promise in facilitating the sustainable utilization of biomass resources.
Keywords: acidity; biomass conversion; hydroxymethylfurfural; porosity; zeolites.
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