Effect of CO2 on conversion of inulin to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and propylene oxide to 1,2-propanediol in water

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The CO2–water system has the potential to serve as a substitute for mineral acids for some reactions in acidic media. In this work, two reactions under hydrothermal conditions with and without CO2 were studied – the conversion of inulin to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), and the hydrolysis of propylene oxide to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO). The effects of CO2 pressure, reaction temperature and reactant concentration on the yield of 5-HMF and 1,2-PDO were examined. It was demonstrated that CO2 could increase the yields of 5-HMF and 1,2-PDO considerably under optimized conditions. The methods to prepare 5-HMF and 1,2-PDO are greener, in that conventional acids are not required and the solution is neutralized automatically after depressurization.