Furfural is one of the furan derivatives formed from the hemicellulosic portion of lignocellulosics. ... Furfural is formed by dehydrating five-carbon sugars such as xylose and arabinose that can be obtained from the hemicellulose fraction of lignocellulosic biomass.
Furfural is used for making inks, plastics, antacids, adhesives, nematicides, fungicides, fertilizers, and flavoring compounds . Furfural can be used as a solvent or in the making of furfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofuran (THF), and levulinic acid (LA). Furfuryl alcohol is prepared by hydrogenation of furfural.
It is used as a solvent for nitrated cotton, cellulose acetate and gums; for accelerating vulcanization; in the synthesis of furan derivatives.