Hydroxymethylfurfural, a Possible Basic Chemical for Industrial Intermediates

ABSTRACT Fructose ex inulin can be readily converted to the basic chemical hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Due to its various functionalities HMF, in its turn, could be utilized to produce a wide range of chemical intermediates or end-products. Among the reactions possible, some are discussed to illustrate the potential to open up important fields of industrial application of these HMF-derived chemicals, for instance as polymers, surfactants, solvents, pharmaceuticals and plant protection agents. In particular polymers seem to constitute a very interesting area of potential applications. Among these polymers, polyesters and polyamides, the latter being comparable with the terephthalic acid- and isophthalic acid-based polyamides Kevlar and Nomex, are worth mentioning. In addition, conducting polyene-like furan polymers seem to be promising, especially for their potential application in batteries, sensors and switches. However, prerequisite for a substantial future role of HMF as a basic chemical is a low price. It means that, if fructose ex inulin should be used for HMF production, the price level for inulin should be roughly DM 1000 per ton.