Synthesis of 5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural Monoesters and Alcohols as Fuel Additives toward Their Performance and Combustion Characteristics in Compression Ignition Engines.

The synthesis of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) and conversion to the corresponding HMF-monoesters upon certain treatment are presented with their properties that are validated in a diesel engine. With a collection of fatty acids (C8-C18) using cyanuric acid as a catalyst under mild reaction conditions, the subsequent reduction of the HMF-monoesters with NaBH produced the corresponding alcohols. After purification, both HMF-monoesters and their alcohol derivatives were determined for their solubility, cetane index, heat of combustion, viscosity, and specific gravity.