| abstract |
In accordance with the present subject matter, there is provided a process for preparing a furan derivative, the process comprising the steps of contacting a sugar with a monophasic organic solvent to obtain a reaction mixture; and subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature in the range from 100° C. to 180° C., in presence of an acid catalyst, for a time period in the range of 0.5 min to 4.0 h to obtain at least 70% conversion of the sugar to a single furan derivative, wherein the acid catalyst is selected from the group consisting of homogenous acid catalyst, heterogenous solid acid catalyst, and combinations thereof. There is also provided a process for preparation of a heterogenous solid acid catalyst. |