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.