Direct Synthesis of 5‐Methylfurfural from d‐Fructose by Iodide‐Mediated Transfer Hydrogenation

Herein, a robust catalytic system was developed for the green synthesis of 5-methylfurfural (5-MF) by iodide-mediated transfer hydrogenation. Around 50 % of 5-MF was yielded from d-fructose within 7.5 min using NaI as the catalyst and formic acid as both the hydrogen source and co-catalyst. The catalytic system was used for six consecutive cycles without any decrease in the yield. Various starch and raw biomass could be used as promising...