Furfural

Furfural is an industrial chemical derived from a variety of agricultural byproducts like sugar cane bagasse and corn cobs using our process. Its chemical formula is C₅ H₄ O₂. In its pure state, it is a colorless oily liquid with the odor of almonds, but upon exposure to air it quickly becomes yellow. Many plant materials contain the hemicellulose, a polymer of sugars containing five carbon atoms each. When heated with sulfuric acid, hemicellulose undergoes hydrolysis to yield these sugars, principally xylose. Under the same conditions of heat and acid, xylose and other five carbon sugars become dehydrated, losing three water molecules to become furfural:

Furfural is used as a solvent in petrochemical refining and is used to create various lubricants. Furfural, as well as its derivative furfuryl alcohol, can be used either by themselves or together with other chemicals to make solid resins. Such resins are used in making fiberglass, some aircraft components, and automotive brakes. There is a worldwide market for this chemical in many industries.