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).