Cogeneration of 5-HMF and aliphatic acid from sugarcane bagasse catalyzed by [p-Anis][HSO4] ionic liquid

Among all types of pretreatments used to depolymerize and transform carbohydrates from lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), ionic liquids (ILs) continue to be actively explored by the scientific community, particularly for producing biochemicals such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), which is important in various industries. Producing this chemical from glucose is more difficult than from fructose (which is expensive). It requires harsh pretreatment conditions that can cause material degradation, resulting in not only the desired sugar compound but also non-sugar compounds such as organic acids. In this study, a p-anisidinium-based IL was synthesized, characterized, and tested as a catalyst to produce both 5-HMF and aliphatic acids. The IL's catalytic potential was evaluated through a series of hydrothermal experiments varying parameters such as time, temperature, stock loading, and catalyst loading. The maximum yields obtained were 37.82 % for 5-HMF, 40.01 % for aliphatic acids, and 48.12 % for total reduced sugars (TRS) under optimal conditions from sugarcane bagasse (SCB).