Mapping out the reaction network of humin formation at the initial stage of fructose dehydration in water

The formation of humins hampers the large-scale production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF)in biorefinery.Here,a detailed reaction network of humin formation at the initial stage of fructose-to-HMF dehydration in water is delineated by combined experimental,spectroscopic,and theoretical studies.Three bimolecular reaction pathways to build up soluble humins are demonstrated.That is,the intermolecular etherification of β-furanose at room temperature initiates the C12 path,whereas the C-C cleavage of a-furanose at 130-150℃ leads to C11 path,and that of open-chain fructose at 180℃ to C11' path.The successive intramolecular dehydrations and condensations of the as-formed bimolecular intermediates lead to three types of soluble humins.We show that the C12 path could be restrained by using HCl or AlCl_(3) catalyst,and both the C12 and C110 paths could be effectively inhibited by adding THF as a co-solvent or accelerating heating rate via microwave heating.