5-Chloromethylfurfural

Dark Brown Oil

5-(Chloromethyl)furfural is a lipid oxidation product derived from soybean phospholipids. It is a biofuel precursor in the co-processing of carbohydrates and lipids in oil crops for production of hybrid biodiesel.

5-Chloromethylfurfural is a biofuel that can be made from the reaction of hydrochloric acid and furfural. It is used as a feedstock for the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, which is an important intermediate in the synthesis of many other chemicals. 5-Chloromethylfurfural has been isolated at a yield of 57% from reactions between furfural and chlorine gas. The use of solid catalysts have improved this yield to 68%. It has high chemical stability and can withstand temperatures up to 200°C without decomposition. It also reacts with fatty acids to form amides.

Synthesis, p. 541, 1992 DOI: 10.1055/s-1992-26158

5-(Chloromethyl) Furfural (CMF) is a potential chemical building block for replacing petroleum-derived chemicals derived from lignocellulosic feedstocks. It is gaining traction as a more practical alternative to 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF).