Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for purifying a 5-(halomethyl)furfural composition, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, at operating conditions that decrease or minimize the decomposition or degradation of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural during the process. The methods may employ certain solvents, operating conditions, and/or techniques (e.g., gas stripping). The gaseous 5-(halomethyl)furfural produced from the process can be condensed or deposited to yield 5-(halomethyl)furfural in liquid or solid form. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be amorphous or crystalline.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce para-xylene, toluene, and other compounds from renewable sources (e.g., cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, sugar) and ethylene in the presence of a catalyst. For example, cellulose and/or hemicellulose may be converted into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which may be converted into para-xylene by cycloaddition of ethylene to DMF. Para-xylene can then be oxidized to form terephthalic acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce substituted furans (e.g., halomethylfurfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and furfural), by acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass using a gaseous acid in a multiphase reactor, such as a fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for purifying a 5-(halomethyl)furfural composition, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, at operating conditions that decrease or minimize the decomposition or degradation of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural during the process. The methods may employ certain solvents, operating conditions, and/or techniques (e.g., gas stripping). The gaseous 5-(halomethyl)furfural produced from the process can be condensed or deposited to yield 5-(halomethyl)furfural in liquid or solid form. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be amorphous or crystalline.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce para-xylene, toluene, and other compounds from renewable sources (e.g., cellulose, hemicellulose) and ethylene in the presence of an acid, such as a Lewis acid. For example, cellulose and/or hemicellulose may be converted into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) and 2-methylfuran, which may be converted into para-xylene and toluene, respectively. In particular, para-xylene can then be oxidized to form terephthalic acid.

Abstract: Provided are solid forms of 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including a crystalline form of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural. Provided are also methods for preparing solid forms of 5-(halomethyl)furfural by crystallization using certain solvents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce substituted furans (e.g., halomethylfurfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and furfural), by acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass using a gaseous acid in a multiphase reactor, such as a fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for purifying a 5-(halomethyl)furfural composition, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, at operating conditions that decrease or minimize the decomposition or degradation of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural during the process. The methods may employ certain solvents, operating conditions, and/or techniques (e.g., gas stripping). The gaseous 5-(halomethyl)furfural produced from the process can be condensed or deposited to yield 5-(halomethyl)furfural in liquid or solid form. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be amorphous or crystalline.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass. The methods make use of certain organic solvents with temperature-dependent solubility for 5-(halomethyl)furfural. This allows for temperature-dependent phase separation of the 5-(halomethyl)furfural from the reaction mixture. In certain embodiments, solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be obtained. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural obtained may be amorphous or crystalline.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce para-xylene, toluene, and other compounds from renewable sources (e.g., cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, sugar) and ethylene in the presence of a catalyst. For example, cellulose and/or hemicellulose may be converted into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which may be converted into para-xylene by cycloaddition of ethylene to DMF. Para-xylene can then be oxidized to form terephthalic acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass. The methods make use of certain organic solvents with temperature-dependent solubility for 5-(halomethyl)furfural. This allows for temperature-dependent phase separation of the 5-(halomethyl)furfural from the reaction mixture. In certain embodiments, solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be obtained. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural obtained may be amorphous or crystalline.