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Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Furfural to 2‐Methylfuran and 2‐Methyltetrahydrofuran over Bimetallic Copper–Palladium Catalysts
Author(s) -
Chang Xin,
Liu AnFeng,
Cai Bo,
Luo JinYue,
Pan Hui,
Huang YaoBing
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201601122
Subject(s) - furfural , catalysis , furfuryl alcohol , bimetallic strip , deoxygenation , chemistry , yield (engineering) , product distribution , palladium , transfer hydrogenation , organic chemistry , inorganic chemistry , ruthenium , materials science , metallurgy
The catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural to the fuel additives 2‐methylfuran (2‐MF) and 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (2‐MTHF) was investigated over various bimetallic catalysts in the presence of the hydrogen donor 2‐propanol. Of all the as‐prepared catalysts, bimetallic Cu‐Pd catalysts showed the highest catalytic activities towards the formation of 2‐MF and 2‐MTHF with a total yield of up to 83.9 % yield at 220 °C in 4 h. By modifying the Pd ratios in the Cu‐Pd catalyst, 2‐MF or 2‐MTHF could be obtained selectively as the prevailing product. The other reaction conditions also had a great influence on the product distribution. Mechanistic studies by reaction monitoring and intermediate conversion revealed that the reaction proceeded mainly through the hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol, which was followed by deoxygenation to 2‐MF in parallel to deoxygenation/ring hydrogenation to 2‐MTHF. Finally, the catalyst showed a high reactivity and stability in five catalyst recycling runs, which represents a significant step forward toward the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural.