5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural Production from Glucose, Fructose, Cellulose, or Cellulose–based Waste Material by Using a Calcium Phosphate Catalyst and Water as a Green Solvent

Abstract We successfully prepared 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural from glucose, fructose, cellulose, natural wood, waste paper, and cotton clothing by using a calcium phosphate catalyst and water as a green solvent. The combination of basic and acidic sites on the surface of the calcium phosphate catalyst accelerated the multistep reaction pathway from the reactants to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural. Ball‐milling pretreatment of the reactant markedly increased the yield of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural obtained from cellulose, natural wood, waste paper, and cotton clothing.