Production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural/furfural from cellulose/lignocellulosic biomass via one-pot catalytic processes

The global drive toward sustainable energy sources and environmental accountability has encouraged the exploration of alternative methods for energy and chemical production. Conventional disposal practices for biomass and waste fall short in achieving carbon neutrality and sustainability objectives due to inefficiencies and environmental repercussions. Lignocellulosic biomass, an abundant and renewable resource, has emerged as a pivotal asset in this quest. By subjecting biomass to various pretreatment processes, it can be converted into valuable mono- and polysaccharides that serve as feedstocks for platform chemicals. As one of the most versatile platform chemicals, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural (FFR), commonly produced by the dehydration of monosaccharides, have currently demonstrated great application capabilities; however, high costs of glucose, fructose, and xylose reduce the economic benefits of HMF/FFR biorefining, necessitating the direct utilization of polysaccharides. Thus, this chapter delves into the one-pot chemo-catalytic conversion of cellulose/hemicellulose and raw lignocellulosic biomass into HMF and FFR, employing heterogeneous catalysts, which are preferable to homogeneous ones in terms of process development and scaling up. The discussion not only showcases recent advancements in lab-scale catalytic systems but also evaluates the current status of scaled-up processes, commercialization endeavors, and the challenges that impede further commercialization, all of which need to be taken into account and addressed in future efforts. © 2026 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.