5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) holds
substantial importance
as
a foundational chemical that can be potentially transformed into biofuels
and various additional high-value products. Fructose is gaining popularity
as one of the raw materials for the facile formation of 5-HMF. However,
it is not as abundant in nature as glucose, the primary product derived
from biomass breakdown and the most abundant monosaccharide globally.
Producing fructose through glucose isomerization is an economical
approach in this context. This study investigates several types of
novel, facile, and reusable hydrogel catalysts for the isomerization
of glucose into fructose and dehydration of fructose into 5-HMF in
green solvent media. This study marks the first application of both
amine and amide functional groups within a single catalyst (PEGDA-DMAPMA)
for glucose isomerization. The results of glucose isomerization using
Brønsted-base PEGDA-DMAPMA hydrogel catalysts reveal a 45% glucose
conversion rate and a 27% fructose yield, with a 61% selectivity at
110 °C, within a 2 h reaction time. Brønsted-acid PEGDA-3SMP-H
gave a fructose conversion rate of 93%, yielding 65% 5-HMF at 120
°C after 6 h. A significant observation was made for PEGDA-3SMP-H,
indicating an increase in the catalytic ability with regeneration
cycles. The synthesized catalysts PEGDA-DMAPMA and PEGDA-3SMP-H exhibited
stability up to 120 °C despite an increase in swelling ratio
at higher temperatures and times. Furthermore, PEGDA-3SMP-Cu2+ demonstrated a considerable yield of fructose compared to other
metal ion-modified Brønsted-acid catalysts. Additionally, an
efficient heating method for this process was identified. In conclusion,
the prepared hydrogel catalysts are preferred for industrial applications
in carbohydrate conversion.