Provided is a hydroxymethyl furfural derivative represented by the general formula. (In the formula, R is selected from the group consisting of the following formula (I), (II)HOOCCH2COCO-、(III)HOOCCH2CH2COCO-、and (IV) hydrogen atom).一種羥甲糠醛衍生物,係以一般式表示(式中,R係選自下述式(I)、(II)HOOCCH2COCO-、(III)HOOCCH2CH2COCO-、及(IV)氫原子所構成之群)。