Efficient catalytic conversion of dilute-oxalic acid pretreated bagasse hydrolysate to furfural using recyclable ironic phosphates catalysts.

Efficient conversion of dilute-oxalic acid pretreated bagasse hydrolysate to furfural was developed using recyclable ironic phosphates (FePO) catalysts in the modified heterogeneous system. The effects of reaction conditions on the furfural yields were investigated, and the stability and water solubility of catalysts were evaluated. Results showed that the maximum furfural yield of 88.7% was obtained in the modified biphasic system by FePO catalysts at 190 °C for 120 min. The catalyst could be recycled and reused in conversion of the xylose-rich hydrolysate into furfural due to the unique feature that the catalyst showed solid state at room temperature and could be gradually dissolved into the aqueous phase upon increasing the reaction temperature and time. The experiments of five-time recycles showed that the FePO catalyst exhibited excellent stability and catalytic performances.