Selective dehydration of glucose to hydroxymethylfurfural and a one-pot synthesis of a 4-acetylbutyrolactone from glucose and trioxane in solutions of aluminium salts

Saturated water solutions of Al2(SO4)3 and AlCl3 were applied as solvent/matrices for dehydration of Glc to hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Addition of oxygen ligands: methanol, ethanol, THF, furan, dibutyl ether, ethyl orthoformate and trioxane influenced the yield and selectivity, the best being observed with ethanol. When Glc and trioxane were present together in reacting solution, formation of a 4-acetylbutyrolactone was observed.