Methanol → 2,5-Tetrahydrofurandimethanol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a 2 gal. stainless steel stirred autoclave was charged 1420.5 g. of 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran and 113.68 g. of the cationic ruthenium zeolite and 1 gal. of methanol. The system was pressurized with H2 to 3500 psig and heated to 30° C. An exothermic gas uptake was seen and the temperature rose within a minute to 82° C. Cooling water was started to control the exothermic reaction. After 5 hours, gas uptake had essentially ceased and gas chromatographic analysis indicated no starting material was present. Distillation gave 92 percent yield of 2,5-dihydroxymethyl tetrahydrofuran and about 8 percent of a product identified as 5-methyl tetrahydrofuran-2-methanol (hydrogenolysis product).

Provenance & Evidence