Fuels and fuel additives comprising ester derivatives of 5-methyl-2-furoic acid

Abstract

Ester derivatives of furoic acids and in particular of 5-methyl-2-furoic acid can be used as fuel as fuel additives. Such esters can be used to displace crude oil products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc. As fuel additives, such esters had been shown to improve the performance of spark ignition internal combustion engines, compression ignition internal combustion engines. In addition, testing shows indications that said molecule will improve the performance of air breathing engines as well.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A liquid fuel composition comprising of a major proportion of hydrocarbon liquid fuel base and a minor proportion of at least one molecule of formula I where R is hydrogen, alkyl, or aromatic, with between 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and R[sub]1 comprises alkyl or aromatic, with between 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a combination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. 
     
     
         2 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one molecule of formula I comprises one or more of: an ester of 5-methyl-2-furoic acid, an amide of 5-methyl-2-furoic acid, and a thioester of 5-methyl-2-furoic acid, from a precursor consisting of 5-methyl-furaldehyde with one hydrogen of the 5-methyl group replaced with one of chloride, fluoride, bromide, iodide, p-toluenesulfonate, methanesulfonate, trifluoroacetate, phenoxy, hydroxy, or ammonium. 
     
     
         3 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 1 , wherein R is a methyl. 
     
     
         4 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 1  further comprising jet fuel. 
     
     
         5 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 4 , wherein jet fuel comprises between 0.01% and 1% by volume of the composition. 
     
     
         6 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 4 , wherein molecules of Formula I comprise up to 20% by volume of the composition. 
     
     
         7 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 1  further comprising gasoline. 
     
     
         8 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 7 , wherein gasoline comprises between 0.01% and 1% by volume of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 7 , wherein molecules of formula I comprise up to 25% by volume of the mixture. 
     
     
         10 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 1  further comprising diesel fuel. 
     
     
         11 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 10 , wherein diesel comprises between 0.01% and 1% by volume of the composition. 
     
     
         12 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 10 , wherein molecules of formula I comprise up to 30% by volume of the mixture. 
     
     
         13 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one molecule of formula I comprises a molecule of Formula II where R[sub]1 comprises an alkyl with between 1 to 12 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         14 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 13 , wherein least one molecule of formula I comprises an ester of 5-methyl-2-furoic acid having an alkoxycarbonyl portion, and wherein the alkoxycarbonyl portion is linear or branched aliphatic chain or a cyclic aliphatic, having at least 1 and not more than 20 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         15 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 13 , wherein least one molecule of formula I comprises an ester of 5-methyl-2-furoic acid having an aryloxycarbonyl portion, and wherein the aryloxycarbonyl portion is an aromatic ring, having at least 5 and not more than 10 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         16 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 13 , further comprising jet fuel. 
     
     
         17 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 13 , further comprising gasoline. 
     
     
         18 . A liquid fuel composition as in  claim 13 , further comprising diesel fuel.