Abstract
Furanic fuel oxygenates, renewably produced from biomass, have received significant interest in lessening dependence on petroleum-derived liquid fuels and reducing emissions. 5-(Tolylmethyl)furfural (TMF) was prepared by the Friedel-Crafts reaction between cellulose-derived 5-(acetoxymethyl)furfural (AcMF) and petroleum-derived toluene. The process was optimized on various parameters, such as reaction temperature, molar ratio of reagents, catalyst loading, and duration. Anhydrous ZnCl(2) was the best catalyst for the reaction, affording a 67% isolated yield of TMF under optimized conditions (120 °C, 4 h). TMF was prepared on a 30 g scale and blended (1-5 vol%) with diesel. The physicochemical properties of the TMF-diesel blended fuel mixtures were studied, and then they were employed as fuel for a direct injection single-cylinder diesel engine. The results show good fuel properties and reduced emissions compared to unblended diesel fuel.