Phosphorus pentoxide/metal chloride mediated efficient and facile catalytic conversion of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Phosphorus pentoxide (P(2)O(5))/metal chloride mixtures could significantly improve 5-HMF yield and selectivity for the catalytic conversion of fructose under mild conditions, whereas neither P(2)O(5) nor tested metal chloride alone gave reasonable performances. A maximum 5-HMF yield of 75% with ∼85% selectivity could be achieved within 30 min at 80 °C.