Synthesis of furfural from Acacia mangium wood sawdust-derived xylose by continuous distillation method using sulfonated carbonaceous catalyst from the same source

Abstract

In this study, the hydrolysate containing ~15 g/L of xylose, which was obtained from Acacia mangium wood sawdust was used for the synthesis of xylose by a continuous distillation method. The synthesis was conducted at 150 °C for 7 h using a carbon-based sulfonated catalyst (CBSC) from the same biomass source with an acid density of about 4.0 mmol/g. The CBSC showed its efficient catalytic activity in the dehydration of xylose to furfural. Under the optimal catalyst dosage of 20 wt% over xylose, the yield of furfural was 20.4 mol% and 34 wt% of xylose was transformed to furfural. The results presented a successful utilization of a wood-derived solid acid catalyst for production of furfural from the same biomass source as a sustainable production of furans for biofuel additives.