Patent ID: 9024047
Filing Date: 2015-05-05
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
1. A method for producing furfural comprising the steps of: a) providing stillage or syrup comprising non-fermentable branched sugars; b) contacting the stillage or syrup with water to form a mixture; c) acidifying the mixture of formed in step (b) to pH 1 or less with an acid catalyst; d) contacting the acidic mixture with at least one water-immiscible organic solvent: e) heating the mixture formed in step (c) at a temperature and for a time sufficient to convert the non-fermentable branched sugars to furfural; f) optionally, recovering the furfural thereby produced, wherein the at least one water-immiscible organic solvent is an aliphatic hydrocarbon, cycloalkane, aromatic hydrocarbon, polyether containing ester or ether end groups, or plant-derived oil.