Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which comprises the following steps: provision or preparation of a starting mixture, comprising one, two or more starting compounds selected from the group consisting of hexoses, oligosaccharides comprising hexose units, and polysaccharides comprising hexose units, one, two or more organic salts with a melting point <180° C. and a boiling point >200° C. at 1013.25 hPa, optionally additionally one or more catalysts for the conversion of the one starting compound or at least one of the two or more starting compounds to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), optionally water, optionally further substances, adjustment of reaction conditions such that an amount of the starting compound or starting compounds converts to HMF.

Abstract: Method for producing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), wherein a) solutions (hereinbelow called starting solution) which comprise a hexose and an organic solvent with a boiling point greater than 200° C. (at standard pressure) (for short called high-boiling component), and steam are fed to a reaction vessel, b) in the reaction vessel, a conversion of the hexose to HMF takes place in the presence of steam with the simultaneous distillative removal of the HMF and c) as distillate, an aqueous, HMF-comprising solution (hereinbelow called distillate) is obtained.

Abstract: A process for preparing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which comprises a) feeding solutions (hereinafter called starting solution) comprising one or more saccharides and an organic solvent having a boiling point greater than 200° C. (at standard pressure) (called high boiler for short) and water, ?and a solvent having a boiling point greater than 60° C. and less than 200° C. (at standard pressure, called low boiler for short) to a reaction vessel, b) effecting a conversion of hexose to HMF in the reaction vessel in the presence of water vapor with simultaneous distillative removal of the HMF and c) obtaining, as the distillate, an aqueous, HMF-comprising solution (hereinafter called distillate).

Abstract: Method for producing solutions which comprise 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and have a reduced content of starting materials of the HMF synthesis or a reduced content of by-products of the HMF synthesis (hereinbelow called product solution), which comprises treating solutions which comprise HMF starting materials or by-products of the HMF synthesis and an organic solvent having at least two ether groups (for short polyether) (hereinbelow called starting solution) in an evaporator with steam.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which comprises the following steps: provision or preparation of a starting mixture, comprising one, two or more starting compounds selected from the group consisting of hexoses, oligosaccharides comprising hexose units, and polysaccharides comprising hexose units, one, two or more organic salts with a melting point <180° C. and a boiling point >200° C. at 1013.25 hPa, optionally additionally one or more catalysts for the conversion of the one starting compound or at least one of the two or more starting compounds to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), optionally water, optionally further substances, adjustment of reaction conditions such that an amount of the starting compound or starting compounds converts to HMF.