Minireview on the Mechanism for the Production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from Biomass

The synthesis of fuels and fine chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass is the most widely envisioned approach toward the implementation of renewable feedstocks. Significant advances have been made in the selective conversion of biomass-derived platform chemicals. This minireview mainly elucidates the mechanism of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) synthesis, including the dehydration of carbohydrates via acyclic and cyclic mechanisms as well as the Maillard reactions. It also highlights the fundamental aspects of reaction mechanisms, recent progress, and challenges.