Resumen
Sugars appearing as structural units in softwood hemicelluloses(mannose, glucose, galactose, xylose and arabinose) were processed in media containing the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) and CrCl3 as a catalyst. Experiments were directed to the production of furans (hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural from hexoses and pentoses, respectively). Operation was performed at a fixed substrate loading (10 g /100 g [Bmim]Cl) using a low catalyst charge (0.5 g CrCl3·6H2O/100 g [Bmim]Cl). The effects of temperature and reaction time on the production of the target products were assessed. The optimal conditions for furan production were identified, and the furan yields were evaluated comparatively to the ones reported in related studies