Selective transformation of carbohydrates to 5-ethoxymethylfurfural over tungstophosphoric acid supported on activated carbon derived from orange peel

A series of tungstophosphoric acid supported on activated carbon derived from left-over orange-peel catalysts (TPA/OAC) have been prepared. These catalysts were examined for one-pot catalytic transformation of fructose/ glucose to 5-ethoxymethylfurfural. Physico-chemical properties of the catalytic materials were executed by using various characterization methods. Spectroscopic analysis results propose that TPA was finely distributed on the high surface area carbon support with persistent Keggin ion structure. The EMF yield is depended on the content of active component TPA on support and also on the reaction conditions. The catalyst with 25 wt% TPA on OAC presented highest activity towards EMF synthesis from fructose. Although, the catalyst 25 wt% TPA/OAC showed low activity towards EMF synthesis from glucose, higher yields of ethyl glucopyranoside could be formed from glucose in EtOH. Activated carbon was synthesized by carbonization of orange peel treated with H3PO4, which was used as a good support for HPAs. The catalysts are quite stable and recyclable for the dehydrative alkylation of fructose.