Furfural production from biomass–derived carbohydrates and lignocellulosic residues via heterogeneous acid catalysts

•An efficient strategy for the co–conversion of cellulose and hemicellulose into furfural was proposed.•C6 polysaccharides conversion to furfural catalyzed by modified beta zeolite was firstly investigated.•Metal modified beta zeolites convert glucose/cellulose to furfural as the predominant product.