Catalytic synthesis of 2,5-bis-methoxymethylfuran: A promising cetane number improver for diesel

•Cu/SiO2 can hydrogenate 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 97% yield of 2,5-bis-hydroxymethylfuran (BHMF).•HZSM-5 catalyzes etherification of BHMF with methanol with 70% 2,5-bis-methoxymethylfuran (BMMF) yield achieved.•The cetane number of BMMF (80) is much higher than that of the commercial diesel (45). Efficient hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 2,5-bis-hydroxymethylfuran (BHMF) was performed using a Cu/SiO2 catalyst, obtaining as high as 97% BHMF yield. In the presence of acidic ZSM-5 zeolite (HZSM-5), the synthesized BHMF further reacted with methanol, leading to 70% yield of corresponding 2,5-bis-methoxymethylfuran (BMMF). The target product BMMF was an excellent cetane number improver for diesel, proved by its cetane number of 80 (much higher than that of the commercial diesel), high flash point (90°C) and low cold filter plugging point (