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 degrees C) and low cold filter plugging point (<-37 degrees C). (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.